Florida Men Plead Guilty to Illegally Exporting Aviation Technology to Russia
Two Russian nationals, Oleg Sergeyevich Patsulya and Vasilii Sergeyevich Besedin from Miami-Dade County, Florida, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) in connection with a scheme to acquire and unlawfully export controlled aviation technology to Russian end users.
According to court documents, the unlawful scheme began in or about May 2022, in the wake of Russia’s most recent invasion of Ukraine and enhanced U.S. sanctions on Russia.
Patsulya and Besedin conspired with each other and several others to evade U.S. export laws and regulations to send aircraft technology from the United States to Russia. The defendants admitted to knowing the items were controlled and required a license from the Department of Commerce to export.
For example, the defendants conspired to export multiple shipments of a carbon disc brake system used on Boeing 737 aircraft. When they contacted various U.S. suppliers in efforts to obtain the brake system, Besedin and Patsulya provided false information that the parts were intended for countries other than Russia.
The United States was able to detain, prior to export, multiple shipments made by the defendants containing units of the brake assembly technology.
“These defendants smuggled sensitive aircraft technology into Russia following its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and did so in violation of laws designed to protect America’s national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
Patsulya also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international money laundering. The case is a critical priority requiring a whole-of-government approach, and it has been a textbook example of how a collaborative strike force can work together effectively and nimbly to dismantle a sanctions-evading scheme.
The guilty pleas are just the latest demonstration of our unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine and stopping those who attempt to prop up the Russian aviation sector.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Oleg Sergeyevich Patsulya
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Violate the Export Control Reform Act, Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering
- City and State: Miami-Dade County, Florida
- Exact Date: May 2022 – May 11, 2023
- Sentence or Outcome: Currently, Patsulya is awaiting sentencing.
Additional Facts:
- The defendants conspired to export millions of dollars’ worth of U.S.-origin aircraft equipment to smuggle to Russian airline companies.
- The United States was able to detain multiple shipments made by the defendants containing units of the brake assembly technology.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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