Belgian arms dealer charged in jet parts smuggling case pleads guilty in Alabama
By APTuesday, November 24, 2009
Arms dealer pleads guilty in Ala. smuggling case
MOBILE, Ala. — A Belgian arms dealer pleaded guilty in an Alabama courtroom to conspiracy to illegally export F-5 fighter jet engines and parts from the U.S. to Iran.
Jacques Monsieur, along with Dara Fotouhi, an Iranian national living in France, was charged in a six-count indictment with conspiracy, money laundering and smuggling.
The 56-year-old Monsieur entered the plea Monday. He was arrested by federal agents in August upon his arrival in New York. Fotouhi remains at large.
Charges were filed in Alabama because the men allegedly wired money to a financial institution in Mobile.
Monsieur faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Monsieur’s attorney, Arthur Madden, said the plea agreement spoke for itself but otherwise declined to comment.
