Florida businessman Hassan Saied Keshari has pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally export military aircraft parts to Iran. Keshari, a naturalized U.S. citizen, made the deal through his company, Kesh Air International, which is based in Novato, California.
Keshari’s guilty plea was announced earlier this week in the Southern District of Florida. He faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His company, Kesh Air International, faces a maximum fine of $500,000.
The aircraft parts in question were designed for the F-14 Fighter Jet, the Cobra AH-1 Attack Helicopter, and the CH-53A Military Helicopter. These aircraft are all part of the Iranian military fleet, with the F-14 being used exclusively by the Iranian military.
Keshari purchased the parts from defendant Traian Bujduveanu, who operated through his Broward County, Florida, business, Orion Aviation Corp. The parts were then shipped to Iran through a freight forwarder in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The investigation into Keshari’s activities was conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
Keshari has been in federal custody since his arrest in June 2008 and will remain there pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 8, 2009. Co-defendant Bujduveanu remains in federal custody awaiting trial, which is set for May 2009.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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