Former Connecticut Resident Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Attempting to Ship to Iran

Former Connecticut Resident Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Attempting to Ship to Iran

Mozaffar Khazaee, 61, formerly of Manchester, Connecticut, was sentenced to 97 months in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine by U.S. District of Connecticut for violating the Arms Export Control Act by attempting to send to Iran highly sensitive, proprietary, trade secret and export controlled material relating to U.S. military jet engines, which he had stolen from multiple U.S. defense contractors where he had previously been employed.

From Assistant Attorney General Carlin:

“Mozaffar Khazaee exploited his privileged access to national security assets to steal highly sensitive military technology with the intent of providing it to Iran. Violations of the Arms Export Control Act, particularly those involving attempts to transfer sensitive defense technology to a foreign power, are among the most significant national security threats we face, and we will continue to leverage the criminal justice system to prevent, confront, and disrupt them.”

From U.S. Attorney Daly:

“Mozaffar Khazaee betrayed his defense contractor employers and the national security interests of the United States by stealing and attempting to send to Iran voluminous documents containing highly sensitive U.S. defense technology. U.S. companies are being relentlessly targeted by those who seek to steal our intellectual property, our trade secrets and our advanced defense technology – whether through a computer hack or cyber intrusion, or through an insider or rogue employee.  As this case demonstrates, we will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to steal trade secrets and military technology from U.S. industries, whether for their own personal gain or for the benefit of foreign actors.”

From Special Agent in Charge Etre:

“Stopping people like Mozaffar Khazaee from providing U.S. military technology to foreign powers is crucial to our national security interests. It’s abundantly clear from court records that this individual intended to harm U.S. interests both here and abroad.  HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners to ensure that advanced U.S. military technology is not stolen and illegally exported for the benefit of foreign entities.”

To read the entire press release: Justice News