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George Manuselis, an 80-year-old dual citizen of the US and Greece, has pleaded guilty to smuggling guns from Ohio to Greece. In April 2022, a firearm recovered in Greece was found to be originally purchased at a licensed dealer in Canton, Ohio, where Manuselis resides. The investigation revealed that Manuselis had purchased multiple firearms in Ohio, which he then smuggled to Greece by hiding them in his suitcase. Despite being warned about the legal prohibition against straw purchasing, Manuselis continued to buy guns, intending to sell them in Greece.
Manuselis was caught at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where he was attempting to board a flight to Athens with multiple firearms in his possession. The warning notice he had signed earlier did not deter him from continuing his illegal activities. The investigation was conducted by federal authorities, who worked to disrupt the flow of illegal guns from the US to other countries.
The guilty plea was accepted by US District Judge Dan Aaron Polster on July 30. As part of his plea agreement, Manuselis will forfeit all the firearms at issue, including five pistols and approximately 940 rounds of ammunition. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat gun smuggling and prevent the illegal trafficking of firearms. The sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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