A Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania man is facing a staggering 70 years behind bars after a multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia, FBI Philadelphia, and their partners revealed his brutal torture of an Estonian citizen and illegal arms export activities. Ross Roggio, 55, met his fate earlier this week when the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania handed down the sentence, highlighting the gravity of his heinous acts.
Roggio's appalling behavior came to light when it was discovered that he had orchestrated the abduction and detention of the Estonian national at a Kurdish military compound in 2015 there, he suffocated the victim with a belt and threatened mutilation, he directed Kurdish soldiers to enact a symphony of violence, beating, choking, tasing, and causing profound physical and psychological damage over 39, a torturous days. He perpetrated these acts while developing a weapons factory in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, aimed at manufacturing automatic firearms.
In the gritty pursuit of justice, FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs commended the "courage of the victim and witnesses in coming forward" and underscored the FBI's relentless commitment to prosecuting such "egregious crimes," according to a statement obtained by the ICE website. The case also spotlighted Roggio's infringement on U.S. arms export laws, with the illicit production of firearms in Kurdistan attaching additional gravitas to the offenses.
On the legal front, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam reflected on the gravity of Roggio's actions, emphasizing that "violence against the dignity and human rights of any victim cannot be tolerated." His comments, sourced from the same ICE press release, mentioned the importance of upholding export laws. These laws encapsulate broader human rights considerations, aim to restrict access to sensitive technologies, and strive for regional stability. Roggio faced a federal jury in May 2023, which convicted him on 33 counts, including torture, various conspiracy and weapons charges, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering.
The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security's Office of Export Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson stated, "This sentence sends a strong message to those who wish to illegally traffic in firearms," reinforcing the significance of the verdict and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to secure it, as quoted by the ICE announcement. Roggio marks the second individual to be convicted under the federal torture statute since its enactment in 1994.
Law enforcement urges anyone with knowledge of human rights violations in the United States to contact the HSI tip line. HSI, renowned as DHS's principal investigative arm, operates with a formidable force of over 8,700 personnel, extending its reach across the nation's infrastructure and beyond. It ensures the integrity of international trade, travel, and finance against criminal exploitation. For additional details on the case, refer to the press release on ICE’s website.
