Feds: U.S. Citizen Charged With Trying To Acquire Missiles For Iranian Government
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A dual citizen of the United States and Iran has been charged with attempting to obtain at least 200 surface-to-air missiles and airplane parts for the Iranian military.
The charges against Reza Olangian were unsealed on Friday.
As WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said that after Olangian was thwarted in his first attempt back in 2007, he seized a second opportunity last year to arm the Iranian military in violation of international trade sanctions.
Feds: U.S. Citizen Charged With Trying To Acquire Missiles For Iranian Government
Early last year, prosecutors said Olangian worked to negotiate a separate missile deal with a confidential source working with the DEA who pretended to be a weapons and aircraft broker.
"Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, Olangian struck out on his second attempt and he will now answer for his alleged willingness to jeopardize this country's national security," Bharara said in a statement.
WEB EXTRA: Read The Indictment (pdf) | Read The Criminal Complaint (pdf)
Olangian was arrested in Estonia a year ago and was extradited to the U.S. in March.
If convicted of the top charges, Olangian could be sentenced to life in prison.
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