Bronx Man Sentenced for Attempting to Export Carbon Fiber to Iran

June 21, 2012

Publication Type: 

  • International Enforcement Actions

Weapon Program: 

  • Missile

Author: 

Wisconsin Project Staff

Richard Phillips was sentenced to 92 months in prison on June 21, 2012 after pleading guilty to attempting to export carbon fiber from the United States to Iran without obtaining the required license, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In October 2011, Phillips agreed to export a spool of aerospace-grade carbon fiber to Iran via the Philippines in response to an online advertisement posted by an undercover U.S. federal agent. Although the undercover agent warned Phillips that the export of the carbon fiber was illegal, Phillips proceeded with the transaction. Phillips was arrested after taking delivery of the carbon fiber.

Footnotes: 

[1] "Bronx Man Sentenced to 92 Months for Attempting to Export Carbon Fiber to Iran," Press Release, The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2012.

[2] "N.Y. Man Caught in Sting Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Carbon Fiber Export to Iran," The Export Practitioner, Vol. 26, Num. 7, July 2012.