An Iranian-born immigrant who became a lawful permanent resident alien under the Obama administration was arrested and charged with brokering arms sales on behalf of the Iranian Government. According to Bill Essayli, the United States Attorney for the Central District of California, federal authorities arrested 44-year-old Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday evening.
According to Essayli, Mafi, of Woodland Hills, is accused of trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran and is being charged with 50 USC section 1705, for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition. The munitions were reportedly manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan.
If convicted of the offenses, Mafi could face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison in addition to fines. A conviction of this offense with an appropriate sentence could also render Mafi deportable from the United States
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