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Supplier Convicted In Exporting F-16 Military Parts To The Venezuelan Air Force
 
 

June 9, 2014 - Ronald Dobek, 39 was convicted yesterday of conspiring to export and exporting F-16 military parts to the Venezuelan Air Force (VAF) without a license or authority from the U.S. Department of State. 

The jury returned guilty verdicts on all three counts of the indictment that charged Dobek with conspiring to violate U.S. export laws and unlawfully exporting F-16 parts to Venezuela on December 29, 2007 and December 6, 2008. 

Dobek faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years. Sentencing for Dobek has been scheduled for September 10, 2014, before Honorable Rudolph T. Randa, United States District Judge.

 

On August 17, 2006, the United States Department of State announced that it would no longer authorize the export of defense articles and services to Venezuela. Additionally, the State Department revoked all existing licenses and authorizations to export defense articles and services to Venezuela. Thus, as of that date, it became illegal to export defense articles or services to Venezuela. 

The evidence presented at trial showed that despite knowing about the U.S. embargo of Venezuela, Dobek conspired with a member of the VAF to supply the VAF with F-16 canopy seals for Venezuelan’s fleet of F-16 military jets. 

The evidence showed that Dobek exchanged numerous e-mails with a member of the VAF in which they discussed obtaining the F-16 canopy seals and the need to keep their operation secret. Dobek took other steps to conceal his illegal activity, including misidentifying the shipments as “t-molding” on shipping documents. As a result, Dobek sent shipments of F-16 canopy seals to a member of the VAF in Venezuela on or about December 29, 2007 and December 6, 2008.

 

 

In announcing this verdict, United States Attorney James L. Santelle stated, “Anyone who, like Ronald Dobek, elects to violate the Arms Export Control Act and the clear regulations implementing it will be investigated exhaustively—both domestically and internationally—and be convicted for crimes that jeopardize the safety and the security of our nation. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Defense-Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica O’Neil and Michael Chmelar.
 
 
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