Rasheed Al Jijakli, Conspiring to Export U.S.-Origin Tactical Gear to Syria, California 2012

SANTA ANA, California - In a brazen scheme to violate U.S. sanctions against Syria, Rasheed Al Jijakli, 57, a Syrian-born naturalized U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to conspiring to export U.S.-origin tactical gear to Syria.

According to court documents, Al Jijakli and his co-conspirators, including a second co-conspirator who was a member of Ahrar Al-Sham, a designated foreign terrorist organization, purchased the tactical gear, including U.S.-origin laser boresighters, day- and night-vision rifle scopes, and other items from the United States.

On July 17, 2012, Al Jijakli traveled with the tactical gear from Los Angeles to Istanbul, Turkey, with the intent that it would be provided to Syrian rebels training in Turkey and fighting in Syria. The gear, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, included at least 43 laser boresighters, 85 day rifle scopes, 30 night-vision rifle scopes, tactical flashlights, a digital monocular, five radios, and a bulletproof vest.

Further, in August and September 2012, Al Jijakli directed his co-conspirators to withdraw thousands of dollars from Palmyra Corporation, a check-cashing services company where he was the chief executive officer, to pay for tactical gear for Syrian rebels.

Al Jijakli pleaded guilty on Monday before United States District Judge James V. Selna, and faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Judge Selna is scheduled to sentence Al Jijakli on December 4.

This case is the product of an investigation conducted by the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, and IRS Criminal Investigation.

Rasheed Al Jijakli is a Syrian-born naturalized U.S. citizen who lived in Walnut, California. He was charged with one count of conspiring to export U.S.-origin tactical gear to Syria, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Syria Sanctions.

Defendant: Rasheed Al Jijakli

Criminal Charges: Conspiring to export U.S.-origin tactical gear to Syria

City and State: SANTA ANA, California

Exact Date: April 2012 through March 2013

Sentence or Outcome: Up to 20 years in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/man-pleads-guilty-scheme-violate-us-sanctions-against-syria