Brian Thomas Platt, Unlawful Export of Firearm Parts and Accessories, Maryland 2015

A federal grand jury indicted Brian Thomas Platt, age 39, of Waldorf, Maryland, for illegally attempting to export and exporting firearms parts and other items designated as defense articles.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) – Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division.

According to the three-count indictment, Platt exported and caused the exportation of firearm parts and accessories designated as defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List without first obtaining the required licenses and authorizations.

The indictment charges Platt with unlawful export of defense articles, specifically an Uzi trigger group and two Uzi top covers destined for France, three M-16 selectors, three M-16 disconnectors, three M-16 auto sear assemblies and three M-16 hammers destined for Thailand, and an 18 ½ inch IMI Factory Galil 5.56mm barrel destined for Finland.

Platt faces a sentence of 20 years in prison on each of three counts for unlawful export of defense articles. An initial appearance was held on December 8, 2015, and Platt was released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services. Platt is scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on December 21, 2015, at 3:00 p.m.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, DCIS, and ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mara Zusman Greenberg, who is prosecuting the case.

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