United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

BROOKLYN MAN CHARGED WITH VIOLATING U.S. ARMS EXPORT AND TRAFFICKING LAWS

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport returned a two-count indictment today charging LEIB KOHN of 5814 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, with the illegal export of military parts and components to Q.P.S., an Israeli company, and conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act by sending military components out of the United States without the required authorization from the U.S. Government. Also charged were KOHN's companies, L & M MANUFACTURING and NESCO NY INC. If convicted of the charges, KOHN faces a 10-year maximum term of imprisonment on each count, $1,000,000 in fines and possible debarment of export privileges. The corporations face $1,000,000 in fines.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

KOHN was arrested on March 19, 2004 by Special Agents of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a Criminal Complaint issued by the U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, Connecticut. At that time, a search warrant was executed at KOHN's Brooklyn residence. Two days earlier, the Israeli authorities, working in conjunction with U.S. authorities, conducted a search at the business premises of Q.P.S in Binyamina, Israel and there located certain of the items that KOHN had purchased from U.S. manufacturers and shipped to Israel.

The Indictment alleges that since May 2003, KOHN has continuously procured various munitions items from U.S. manufacturers, including one based in Connecticut, and shipped them to Israel without seeking permission of the U.S. Government for the export. These items are controlled by the U.S. State Department and require licenses and approvals from the U.S. State Department prior to export. According to the Indictment, some of the items KOHN procured and exported are: Parts designed for use in military radar, parts for the F-4 Phantom jet fighter aircraft, and parts for the Hawk guidance missile systems. In particular, the Indictment alleges that KOHN procured wiring harnesses for guidance radar of the Hawk Missile System from a Connecticut company, a fire control radar system for the F-4 Phantom fighter jet aircraft, an audio frequency amplifier for the F-5 jet fighter aircraft from RDB Aeromax in Chatsworth, California, and engine parts for the F-4 Phantom jet fighter aircraft from Unique Aeronautics of Sun Valley, California. In each instance, KOHN was advised through documentation that export of these items was prohibited absent a valid export license from the U.S. Department of State.

Government officials noted that investigation is ongoing.

On March 19, 2004, KOHN was arrested at his residence and transported to the U.S. Courthouse in the Eastern District of New York and presented before a United States Magistrate Judge where he was ordered released on bond. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the next step in the process is that KOHN will be ordered to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Connecticut for an arraignment, at which time it will be determined whether KOHN will be released on bond pending trial, or detained. KOHN will also have to enter a plea to the charges.

"The federal government will vigorously prosecute illegal exports of arms and munitions components and technology from the United States," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "This Office is committed to preserving the integrity of the licensing process and will prosecute violations of the export statutes to the fullest extent."

"This case demonstrates that those who endanger U.S. security for the sake of profits will ultimately be held accountable," added Robin Avers, Special Agent in Charge, ICE-New England. "Halting the illegal export of munitions and sensitive technology is one of the highest priorities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The military items at the heart of this case are controlled for good reason – in the wrong hands they represent a threat to Americans at home and abroad."

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by Special Agents of U.S. Department Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in cooperation with the Israeli National Police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Appleton, who handles the arms and unlawful export cases in the District of Connecticut.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov