Hannah Robert, Arms Export Control Act Violations, New Jersey 2010

Hannah Robert, 49, of North Brunswick, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act by exporting to India military technical drawings without prior approval from the U.S. Department of State.

Robert was the founder, owner, and president of One Source USA LLC, a company located at her then-residence in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, that contracted with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to supply defense hardware items and spare parts.

In September 2012, Robert opened another defense company, Caldwell Components Inc., based at the same address. Along with a resident of India identified only as “P.R.,” Robert owned and operated a third company located in India that manufactured defense hardware items and spare parts.

From June 2010 to December 2012, Robert conspired to export to India defense technical drawings without obtaining the necessary licenses from the U.S. Department of State. The exported technical drawings include parts used in the torpedo systems for nuclear submarines, military attack helicopters, and F-15 fighter aircrafts.

“Hannah Robert circumvented the U.S. government and provided defense technical drawings in violation of the Arms Export Control Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who abuse their access to sensitive defense information. I would like to thank all of the special agents, prosecutors, and other personnel whose work led to the guilty plea in this case.”

“Hannah Robert conspired to send to another country thousands of technical drawings of defense hardware items and sensitive military data,” said U.S. Attorney Fishman. “She was also charged with manufacturing substandard parts that were not up to spec, in violation of the contracts she signed with the Department of Defense. Enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act is critical to the defense of our country.”

The defendant, Hannah Robert, faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1,000,000. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General.

Hannah Robert is scheduled to be sentenced on [insert date]. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey will continue to investigate and prosecute cases involving the illegal export of sensitive defense information.

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