Hassan Saied Keshari, owner of Kesh Air International, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to illegally export military and commercial aircraft parts to Iran. His sentencing has been set for April 8, 2009.

Amongst the charges to which Mr. Keshari pled guilty, were violations of 50 U.S.C. 1705(a), 22 U.S.C. 2778, and 18 U.S.C. 371. 18 U.S.C. 371 is a federal conspiracy statute and on that count alone Mr. Keshari faces a maximum statutory term of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. Mr. Keshari’s company, Kesh Air International faces a maximum fine of $500,000.

18 U.S.C. 371 defines conspiracy as two or more persons conspiring to commit any offense against the United States, or
“to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, if one or more of such persons does any act to effect the object of the conspiracy”.

According to documents filed with the court during the plea hearing, Keshari purchased the aircraft parts for purchasers in Iran and then used Kesh Air International to ship the parts to freight forwarders in Dubai. Keshari received orders by email for the parts, which had all been designated by the Department of State as “defense articles”. He would then quote prices to the purchasers before fulfilling the orders.

For more information on Mr. Keshari’s case please visit the Department of Justice website.

If you feel that you may have violated the federal conspiracy statute or have been involved in the illegal exportation of defense articles please contact the author at 202-329-5652 or by email at info@ferrari-legal.com

The author of this blog is Erich C. Ferrari, an attorney in Washington, DC, who specializes in Sanctions Law and White Collar Criminal Defense. If you have any questions please email him at info@ferrari-legal.com