WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Moscow-born Brazhnikov, 36, was arrested on June 26, 2014, following a joint investigation by the FBI, the US Department of Commerce and Office of Homeland Security Investigations, according to the release.
“As he admitted in court, Brazhnikov was responsible for nearly 2,000 illegal shipments of regulated, sensitive electronics components, many of which wound up in the hands of Russian military and security forces.”
The Russian-American citizen operated four New Jersey-based microelectronics export companies that bought license-controlled electronic components from US businesses and exported them to Russia, the release said.
The Russian companies Brazhnikov cooperated with were authorized to supply the electronics to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Federal Security Service, and entities involved in the design of nuclear warheads, weapons, and tactical platforms, according to the Justice Department.
“Alexander Brazhnikov Jr. significantly undermined the national security of the US by procuring sophisticated, high-tech electronic components and smuggling them into Russia,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Frankel said in the release.
Frankel argued Brazhnikov’s actions enhanced the capabilities of the Russian Intelligence Service and contributed to the modernization of the Russian military and nuclear weapons programs.
Brazhnikov, who obtained and smuggled more than $65 million worth of electronics, has already agreed to pay the total dollar amount of the proceeds as a penalty, according to the Justice Department.
Alleged Russian-American Electronics Smuggler to be Sentenced in September
Sentencing of a naturalized US citizen Alexander Brazhnikov who has admitted smuggling sensitive electronic components to Russia will take place on September 15, US Justice Department said in a press release on Thursday.
“Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2015,” the press release said.
