Publication Type:
- International Enforcement Actions
Weapon Program:
- Missile
Related Country:
- United Kingdom
On January 8, 2013, retired British businessman Christopher Tappin was sentenced to 33 months in prison in an El Paso, Texas federal court for attempting to illegally export batteries used in the Hawk air defense missile to Iran via Britain or the Netherlands. In 2006, Tappin offered to sell the missile batteries for $25,000 to undercover U.S. agents posing as Iranian nationals. Tappin was originally extradited from the United Kingdom in February 2012 and pled guilty in November 2012 to one count of aiding and abetting the illegal export of defense articles to Iran. Tappin, 66, was also ordered to pay a fine of $11,357.
Tappin's co-defendant, Robert Gibson, pled guilty and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment in August 2007. Another co-defendant, Robert Caldwell, was arrested in Texas in January 2007 and found guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal export of defense articles. He was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment.
Footnotes:
[1] "UK Court OKs Extradition of Iran Plot Suspect," Associated Press, February 11, 2011.
[2] Criminal Complaint, U.S. v. Christopher Harold Tappin, et al., U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, January 26, 2007.
[3] Judgment, U.S. v. Robert Frederick Gibson, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, August 24, 2007.
[4] Judgment, U.S. v. Robert Thomas Caldwell, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, November 9, 2007.
[5] Warrant for Arrest, U.S. v. Robert Caldwell, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, February 7, 2007.
[6] “Christopher Tappin Sentenced to 33 Months in US Arms Case,” BBC News, January 9, 2013.