Andrey Shevlyakov, an Estonian national, was extradited to the United States and arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo on Thursday. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, Shevlyakov faces charges including conspiracy and 17 other counts tied to his alleged role in sourcing U.S.-made electronics for the Russian government and military.
Officials, including United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., and the FBI's Douglas A. Williams, Jr., emphasized the efforts made to intervene in these alleged illegal activities which threaten national security. "Our Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt Russia’s illegal procurement of U.S. technology," Nocella stated in the press release. The extradition from Estonia on Thursday was completed through the joint efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice and Estonian authorities.
Shevlyakov’s indictment outlines a complex scheme to circumvent U.S. export controls through the use of shell companies and deceptive methods aimed at misleading American suppliers. The electronics obtained were sensitive items with potential military applications, including use in defense systems, avionics, missiles, and electronic warfare technology. On one occasion, Finnish customs discovered goods concealed in the spare tire compartment of his car, hidden among groceries and luggage, as he attempted to smuggle them into Russia.
Shevlyakov’s illegal procurement of U.S. semiconductor technology was identified as a direct risk to U.S. national security, according to the FBI. As Russia continues efforts to circumvent U.S. law in support of its military technology, authorities emphasized the importance of international cooperation, highlighted by Shevlyakov’s capture and extradition.
While Shevlyakov has yet to be proven guilty, if convicted, he could face a maximum of 20 years in prison. The case is now being managed by the National Security and Cybercrime Section of the Eastern District of New York, with Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Mindlin and Gilbert M. Rein leading the prosecution, supported by Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
