A suburban Chicago man has entered a guilty plea on charges of illegally shipping firearm parts to Israel, having circumvented federal export controls. Amin Betuni, a resident of Palos Hills, Illinois, confessed to sending rifle barrels, gas blocks, and bolt carrier groups, which are regulated under the U.S. Commerce Control List and require a Department of Commerce license, which he did not possess.
In a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice, it was revealed that Betuni deceitfully labeled these shipments as automotive parts or kitchen appliances. His activities included at least three separate occasions in 2022 where he purposefully attempted to mislead authorities and illegally export to individuals in Israel.
Law enforcement officials, after searching for Betuni's residence last December, uncovered a cache that included over 1,200 rounds of ammunition and several firearms, along with conversion devices designed to modify standard pistols into more lethal weapons. Betuni, aged 37, now potentially faces a maximum of ten years in federal prison after his guilty plea on Aug. 1. The sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 6, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois.
"Export-control violations are critically important because they undermine federal laws and regulations that seek to protect international security," Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual said. SAC Sean Fitzgerald remarked, "Those who illegally export firearm parts will face consequences," as stated in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois website.
