Gholam Reza Goodarzi, also known as Ron Goodarzi, 76, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen residing in Porter, Texas, made his initial appearance today in the Southern District of Texas following his arrest at George Bush International Airport on Aug. 30. Goodarzi is charged by criminal complaint with smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other manned aircraft from the United States to Iran.
“For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security.”
“Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran's military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “This prosecution represents my office’s core commitment – in partnership with the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI and Customs and Border Protection – to disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi’s alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation.”
“Illegally smuggling sensitive U.S. technology to a foreign nation jeopardizes our national security and undermines the integrity of our trade laws,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch. “The U.S. does not tolerate illegal smuggling of our advanced tech to our adversaries, and the FBI will work with our partners to vigorously pursue and hold accountable those who violate our laws and put our country at risk."
According to court documents, from December 1, 2020 through July 5, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts as well as oil and drilling components to Iran. As alleged, Goodarzi purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran typically through Dubai, UAE.
He also traveled between Iran multiple times per year while concealing aircraft parts and other items in his checked luggage.
Goodarzi exchanged multiple emails with suppliers acknowledging that parts could not be shipped directly to Iran due to sanctions.
The complaint alleges that on several occasions authorities searched Goodarzi’s luggage finding numerous aircraft parts hidden within articles of clothing; some items had characteristics consistent with UAV production or electrical motor applications.
Goodarzi lacks required licenses for exporting such items to sanctioned countries including Iran according to the complaint.
If convicted he faces up-to-10 years imprisonment for smuggling goods plus a possible $250000 fine A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering US Sentencing Guidelines among other statutory factors
The FBI assisted by Customs & Border Protection is investigating this case
Assistant US Attorney Heather Winter for Southern District Texas Trial Attorney Christopher Cook National Security Division Counterintelligence Export Control Section prosecuting this case
This prosecution coordinated via Disruptive Technology Strike Force an interagency law enforcement group co-led by DOJ Commerce targeting illicit actors protecting supply chains preventing critical tech acquisition by authoritarian regimes hostile states Led jointly Assistant AG National Security Assistant Secretary Commerce Export Enforcement Strike Force leverages tools authorities across US Government enhancing criminal administrative enforcement export control laws
A criminal complaint merely an allegation All defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law