Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

American accused of plotting to sell arms to Russia, Iran

RIA Novosti

16:15 16/12/2010 MOSCOW, December 16 (RIA Novosti) - A California man has been charged with trying to sell military equipment to Russia and Iran in violation of federal export restrictions, a U.S. news website said Thursday.

Delawareonline said Marc Knapp, 35, of Simi Valley in California, "tried to export goods, including an ejection seat, anti-gravity flight suits, fighter jets, survivor radios and emergency procedure manuals" to undercover federal agents posing as intermediaries.

Part of his alleged plan was to transport an F-5 fighter jet from California to Delaware before it was shipped to Iran, Delawareonline said, citing a statement from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.

Knapp was arrested in July at a meeting with undercover FBI agents when he agreed to sell four search-and-rescue radios, knowing that they would be shipped to Russia, and claimed "the Iranians could get a personal guarantee from him that the fighter jet was in working condition."

Knapp faces a sentence of up to 40 years in jail and a $2 million fine if convicted.