U.S. Citizen Charged with Conspiring to Provide Electronic Equipment and Technology to the Government of Iran

 

Defendant Allegedly Conspired to Illegally Export U.S. Goods and Technology Without Required Export Licenses

 A criminal complaint has been unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Kambiz Attar Kashani, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, with conspiring to illegally export U.S. goods, technology, and services to end users in Iran, including the Government of Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).  Kashani was arrested yesterday in Chicago, Illinois, and had an initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan at the federal courthouse in Chicago.  The defendant was remanded pending a detention hearing.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Joseph R. Bonavolanta, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest.

“As alleged, Kashani orchestrated an elaborate scheme to evade U.S. export laws and use the U.S. financial system in procuring U.S. electronic equipment and technology for the Central Bank of Iran, which has been designated by the United States government as acting for or on behalf of terrorist organizations.  The defendant allegedly used two United Arab Emirates companies as fronts to procure items from multiple U.S. technology companies, including a company in Brooklyn,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Kashani’s arrest underscores the unrelenting resolve of this Office and the Department of Justice to prosecute those who seek to profit by compromising our national security.”

“We arrested Kambiz Attar Kashani for conspiring to deceive U.S. companies, including one headquartered in Massachusetts, by illegally exporting their highly sophisticated electronic equipment and technology to the Government of Iran. We believe Mr. Kashani profited financially by strengthening the economy of one of the world’s most infamous state sponsors of terrorism, while circumventing critical U.S. laws designed to protect our national security interests,” stated FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Bonavolonta.  “This case is another example of the FBI’s commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to protect American businesses and stop the illegal export of sensitive information and technology to nations that are hostile to the United States.”

As set forth in the complaint, Kashani conspired to illegally export goods and technology to the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), which the United States government recognizes is an agency of the Government of Iran.  The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has classified CBI as a Specially Designated National (SDN) signifying that CBI is acting for or on behalf of a terrorist organization.  According to the U.S. government, CBI has materially assisted, sponsored and provided financial, material or technological support, goods or services to Lebanese Hizballah, a terrorist organization, and to the Qods Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).  The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian armed forces and represents the primary means of the Government of Iran to direct and implement its global terrorism campaign.   

Kashani allegedly perpetrated the illegal transshipping scheme through two separate United Arab Emirates (UAE) front companies for which he acts as principal.  From around February 2019 through June 2021, Kashani and his co-conspirators used the two UAE companies to procure electronic goods and technology from multiple U.S. technology companies, including a company located in Brooklyn, New York, for end users in Iran, including CBI, without obtaining required OFAC export licenses.  Kashani and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from the U.S. companies that they intended to send the items to Iran, falsely claiming that the UAE front companies would be the ultimate end users.   

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant:

KAMBIZ ATTAR KASHANI
Age:  44
United Arab Emirates

Three Long Island Women Indicted for Assaulting a Delta Airlines Security Officer at JFK Airport

 

Victim was Struck with His Own Radio, Punched in the Face and Kicked by Defendants

 An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jordan Nixon, Janessa Torres and Johara Zavala with assaulting an airline security officer in a jetway at John F. Kennedy International Airport (“JFK Airport”) on September 22, 2021.  The defendants were arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Melinda Katz, Queens County District Attorney, announced the arrests and indictment.

“As alleged, the defendants viciously assaulted an airline security officer by beating him to the floor with his radio and then kicking and punching him in the face and body while he was down,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “The extreme and aggressive behavior in connection with our air travel is out of control.  This Office has zero tolerance for violent conduct that threatens the safety of airline passengers and employees and will prosecute defendants who allegedly engage in such conduct to the fullest extent of the law.”  Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the Port Authority Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

“The FBI is the lead federal agency in charge of arresting those who assault, intimidate, or threaten flight crew, or endanger the safety of other passengers,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.  “Anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of unruly behavior should be reminded that their actions are criminal and can result in time behind bars as a result of federal criminal charges.  We are aggressively addressing this emerging threat and take all cases seriously.”

“The defendants allegedly attacked two airline employees, who were simply doing their jobs,” stated Queens District Attorney Katz.  “The friendly skies must not turn into chaos and turmoil because some passengers refuse to abide by the rules. Our airport personnel must be safe in order to keep the flying public safe.”

As alleged in court filings, the defendants refused to leave a jetway at JFK Airport after they were informed that they would be denied boarding for a Delta Airlines scheduled flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The defendants were belligerent, with one appearing to be visibly disoriented and possibly intoxicated, and another who was refusing to properly wear her mask.  The flight’s Gate Agent (“Employee 1”) notified the flight crew of the defendants’ belligerent conduct, and the captain of the flight and a member of the flight crew determined that the defendants should not be allowed to board the flight.  The defendants refused the request of an airline security officer (“Employee 2”) to leave the jetway and approached him while yelling and cursing.  One defendant struck Employee 2 repeatedly with his own radio, and he fell to the floor.  When Employee 1 tried to assist Employee 2, one defendant punched Employee 1 in the face.  All three defendants then punched and kicked Employee 2 in the face and body while Employee 2 was on the floor.  Employees 1 and 2 were later treated at a hospital for their injuries.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.

The Defendants:

JORDAN NIXON
Age: 21
Bay Shore, New York

JANESSA TORRES
Age: 21
Central Islip, New York

JOHARA ZAVALA
Age: 44
Central Islip, NY

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 15, 2022

 

47,870 Positives Yesterday, Down from Surge-High 90,132 on January 7

Percent Positivity 14.62% Yesterday, Down from Surge-High 23.17% on January 2

12,169 New Yorkers Hospitalized Yesterday, Down 38 Hospitalizations From Day Before    

187 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"We are turning the corner on the winter surge, but we're not through this yet," Governor Hochul said. "Please keep getting vaccinated, getting the booster dose, getting our children vaccinated, and wearing non-cloth masks. Let's not undo all the hard work we've put in to bring the numbers down."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 327,427
• Total Positive - 47,870
• Percent Positive - 14.62%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 17.59%
• Patient Hospitalization - 12,169 (-38)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,843
• Patients in ICU - 1653 (+34)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 896 (+32)
• Total Discharges - 252,862 (+1,736)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 187
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 50,522

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 62,891

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings. 

• Total vaccine doses administered - 34,913,218
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 101,571
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 615,418
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 90.2% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 81.2% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 83.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 79.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 70.8% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 86.0% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.9%

Attorney General James Leads Multistate Coalition in Continuing Fight to End Facebook’s Illegal Monopoly

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a bipartisan coalition of 48 attorneys general from around the nation in continuing to fight to end Facebook’s illegal efforts to stifle competition and protect its monopoly power. Today, the coalition filed an appeal brief arguing that the district court’s ruling dismissing the states’ case was in error. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the court was wrong to dismiss their case as time-barred, and made additional legal and factual errors. Over the last decade, Facebook, now known as Meta, illegally acquired competitors in a predatory manner and cut or conditioned services to smaller threats — depriving users of the benefits of competition and reducing privacy protections and services along the way — all in an effort to boost its bottom line through increased advertising revenue.

“Mark Zuckerberg claims to be building the metaverse, but the actions of Facebook continue to cause significant harm to millions of consumers and many small businesses here in the real world,” said Attorney General James. “Time and again, the social media giant has used its market dominance to force small companies out of business and reduce competition for millions of users. We’re filing this appeal with the support of almost every state in the nation because we will always fight efforts to stifle competition, reduce innovation, and cut privacy protections, even when we face a goliath like Facebook.”

In December 2020, Attorney General James and the coalition filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop Facebook’s anticompetitive conduct. The company filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted by the court last summer. Today’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit asks the court to allow the coalition of attorneys general to move forward with their suit.

Separately, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also filed an amended complaint against Facebook in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In a ruling earlier this week, the court denied Facebook’s motion to dismiss the FTC’s complaint, allowing the FTC to proceed.

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 1/10/22-1/14/22

 

Dear Community,

This Sunday, January 9th, the Bronx was devastated by a tragic fire on 333 East 181st which left 17 people dead, including 8 children. My heart aches for the victims, their loved ones, and for our entire community. Since the fire, my office and I have been organizing and sharing resources on ways to help the families impacted by the fire. For the most up-to-date information on how to help, refer to my Twitter thread. 

There has been an enormous number of contributions in the form of clothing and goods, so if you would like to help at this time, the following two organizations are collecting monetary donations on behalf of the survivors:

• BStrong, in partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, is distributing kits with basic necessities and cash to survivors → donate here
• The Gambian Youth Organization is accepting contributions via GoFundMe to provide cash directly to survivors → donate here

I’d like to give a special thank you to our Pelham, Riverdale, and Woodlawn communities for immediately mobilizing to collect and distribute donations for those impacted– a true testament to their commitment to always help those in their darkest hour. 

I’m incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support that our community has received at this time. It is absolutely remarkable to see the entirety of District 34 come together to help our neighbors rebuild. Thank you all for your generosity and aid.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

JOINT STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ADAMS AND COUNCIL MEMBER AYALA ON SUPPORT FOR FAMILY OF KRISTAL BAYRON-NIEVES

 

 “The murder of Kristal Bayron-Nieves was an evil act, but one that called our city to conscience. The outpouring of love and support from all corners of our city has been genuinely heartwarming, and we thank JetBlue for providing free flights for family to hold her funeral in Puerto Rico. We are committed to giving her family the resources they need as they and our entire city grieves the loss of such a promising young woman.”

Bronx Man Charged With Possession Of Over 20 Kilos Of Fentanyl

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Tim Foley, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Keechant Sewell, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that SUCRE ALMANZAR-ALBA was charged in a criminal complaint today with possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.  ALMANZAR-ALBA was arrested yesterday and presented today before the Hon. Barbara Moses, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendant trafficked huge quantities of fentanyl, the major driver of the opioid epidemic plaguing this country.  Thanks to our law enforcement partners, nearly 20 kilograms of this deadly drug – which amounts to millions of lethal doses – have been taken off the street.”

DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Tim Foley said: “This seizure and arrest have already saved lives in New York. Allegedly, hidden in Almanzar-Alba’s apartment was the equivalent of nearly 10 million doses of the most dangerous illegal drug to ever hit the streets – FENTANYL.  I applaud the New York Strike Force, U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners for their collaborative and swift efforts in this investigation.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said: “Illicit fentanyl distribution destroys lives and devastates communities. Today’s federal complaint reflects the unrelenting focus by the NYPD and its law enforcement partners, working together, to rid our city of these and other deadly drugs and to build strong cases against those who would deal in them. I want to thank all the investigators and prosecutors who worked on this important investigation.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

On or about January 13, 2022, ALMANZAR-ALBA met with a confidential source to give that confidential source approximately one kilogram of fentanyl.  Law enforcement later searched ALMANZAR-ALBA’s house and recovered approximately 19 additional kilograms of fentanyl.

ALMANZAR-ALBA, 43, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) New York Strike Force.  The OCDETF New York Strike Force is a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.  The Strike Force is affiliated with the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. 

The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

FORMER NYPD POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED FOR 2019 FATAL SHOOTING OF FRIEND

 

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Second-Degree Manslaughter

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a former NYPD Police Officer has been sentenced to one to three years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree Manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his next-door neighbor in 2019. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The 21-year-old victim was friends with the defendant, and both were playing soccer video games when the defendant’s off-duty firearm went off, striking the victim. The defendant, who had been a NYPD Police Officer for approximately one year, initially told investigators the victim was playing with the firearm and accidentally shot himself. However, an autopsy showed the gunshot was not self-inflicted. Additionally, the defendant did not perform life-saving measures. His actions were reckless and inconsiderate.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Martinson Afari Yeboah, 30, who was assigned to Housing Police Service Area 7 in the Bronx, was sentenced today to one to three years in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Manslaughter on October 20, 2021.

 According to the investigation, at about 5:25 a.m. on April 21, 2019, Yeboah, who was offduty, was in the apartment of the victim, Frederick Afoakwah on West Mosholu Parkway South, playing video games. The defendant’s off-duty firearm, a 9-mm semi-automatic pistol, discharged, striking the victim once in the neck. The victim’s father and cousin came out of their bedroom after hearing the shot and saw the victim dying in the living room. The defendant told them there was an accident and did not call 911 until the victim’s father urged him to.

 Instead of performing life-saving measures, Yeboah, who lived next door, went to his apartment, left his firearm there and changed his shoes. He then went downstairs to the lobby to wait for first responders. The victim was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

 The defendant’s employment with the NYPD was terminated after the incident.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Lieutenant Emanuel Vizzotti, NYPD Lieutenant John Dasaro, NYPD Detective James McDermott and retired NYPD Detective Clayton Barnett, all of the Force Investigation Division, for their assistance.