A Syrian-born U.S. citizen was sentenced Friday to 32 months in prison for supplying Syrian insurgent groups with U.S.-produced tactical equipment, violating U.S. sanctions against the country.
Amin al-Baroudi pleaded guilty in January for providing organizations like Ahrar al-Sham, an insurgent group attempting to overthrow the Assad regime and bring the Islamic State to power, equipment including sniper rifle scopes, night vision rifle scopes, night vision goggles, laser bore sighters, speed loaders and bullet proof vests.
Ultimately, court documents indicate Baroudi admitted he and his co-conspirators spent tens of thousands of dollars on these U.S. goods and provided the materials to Syria from at least December 2011 to March 2013. Documents also reveal Baroudi planned to bring approximately $30,000 U.S. dollars worth of equipment to Ahrar al-Sham.
Baroudi and his co-conspirators traveled on commercial flights to Turkey and then overhauled them to Syria either themselves or upon transferring the goods to others.
During one of Baroudi’s multiple trips, he brought 14 checked bags totaling 619 pounds and told the airlines the baggage contained clothing. In reality, the luggage was full of tactical equipment.
According to court documents, Baroudi never applied for or received a license from the State Department to export the tactical equipment to Syria. Additionally, he was aware throughout the entire process his actions were illegal.
The Justice Department said when Baroudi pleaded guilty he could have faced up to 20 years in prison.
Baroudi was a former resident of Irvine, Calif., and was formally indicted in April 2015. He was arrested in December 2015 at Dulles International Airport after returning from Saudi Arabia.
