A 62-year-old woman from Mundelein, Illinois, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegally exporting military equipment to Russia. Elena Shifrin was convicted of violating the Arms Export Control Act after she and several others shipped over 60 items, including thermal imaging scopes and night-vision goggles, to Russia between 2017 and 2020.
Shifrin, who admitted guilt in February 2022, was found to be involved in a scheme where these defense articles were bought and sent to her and other conspirators in Illinois and California. They used fake names and addresses to disguise the shipments, labeling them as ordinary items like clothing or household goods. The true nature of the cargo was hidden inside toolkits and kitchen appliances to avoid detection.
Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Central District of California detailed that these actions were carried out without the required approval from the U.S. State Department, which regulates the export of military and defense-related items. The illegal export of these sensitive items is considered a serious offense due to their potential use in conflicts or other security threats.
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The case highlights the importance of compliance with federal regulations on defense exports and serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of attempting to bypass these controls. As Shifrin begins her prison sentence, it underscores the strict enforcement of laws designed to prevent the unauthorized distribution of military technology.
