BIS Suspends Export Privileges of 4 People for Illegal Tech, Weapons Shipments
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week suspended the export privileges of one person for illegally exporting dual-use technology to Libya and three others for illegally exporting weapons to Mexico or Ecuador.
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Peter Sotis, an inmate at a Florida federal prison, was convicted Jan. 12, 2022, for exporting four “rEvo III rebreathers” from the U.S. to Libya, BIS said. Sotis was sentenced to 57 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $300 special assessment. BIS suspended Sotis’ export privileges for 10 years from the conviction date.
Jonathan Santiago, an inmate at a Missouri federal prison, was convicted Oct. 25, 2022, for smuggling a “Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40 pistol, SN: HDY2067” from the U.S. to Mexico, BIS said. Santiago was sentenced to 42 months “confinement” with credit for time served and three years of supervised release. BIS suspended Santiago’s export privileges for seven years from the conviction date.
Ruben Beltran Pedroza, an inmate at a New Mexico federal prison, was convicted Nov. 3, 2022, for also smuggling a “Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40 pistol, SN: HDY2067” from the U.S. to Mexico, BIS said. Pedroza was sentenced to 34 months “confinement” with credit for time served, three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment. BIS suspended Pedroza’s export privileges for five years from the conviction date.
Nicholas Ayala, an inmate at a South Carolina federal prison, was convicted Nov. 16, 2022, for also conspiring to smuggle handguns and firearms from the U.S. to Ecuador, BIS said. Ayala was sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $400 assessment. BIS suspended Ayala’s export privileges for 10 years from the conviction date.