BIS Denies Export Privileges for Illegal Exports to Mexico, Russia

December 5, 2022 |Penalties and Courts

The Bureau of Industry and Security recently revoked export privileges for seven people after they illegally exported or tried to export controlled items from the U.S., including to Mexico and Russia.

BIS said Gruver, Texas, resident Jacqueline Castro-Aguilera was convicted Feb. 25, 2019, for trying to export 1,000 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition to Mexico. Castro-Aguilera was sentenced to 33 months of “confinement,” three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment. BIS denied Castro-Aguilera’s export privileges for seven years from the date of conviction.

Rene Sarmiento, who is an inmate at a Texas federal prison, was convicted Nov. 19, 2020, of exporting or trying to export “two DPMS Panther Arms AR-15 5.56mm caliber rifles; a Colt, Model Government, 9mm caliber pistol; and a Colt, Model Government, 45 caliber pistol” to Mexico, BIS said. Sarmiento was sentenced to 46 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $100 court assessment. BIS denied Sarmiento's export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.

Gene Shilman, an inmate at a Connecticut federal prison, was convicted May 27, 2021, of conspiring to illegally export arms, ammunition, “articles of war” and certain Commerce-controlled goods and technology to Russia and Ukraine, BIS said. Shilman was sentenced to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $200 assessment. BIS denied Shilman’s export privileges for seven years from the date of conviction.

Mark Komoroski of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was convicted Feb. 14, 2020, for trying to export to Russia “one Leupold VX-6, 1-6x24mm CDS Matte FireDot Circle 112319 riflescope,” an item designated on the Commerce Control List, BIS said. Komoroski was sentenced to seven months in prison, two years of supervised release, was ordered to pay a $100 assessment, a $1,000 fine and was placed on the State Department’s debarred list. BIS denied Komoroski’s export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.

BIS said Beijing resident Tian Min Wu was convicted June 9, 2021, for illegally “soliciting the export of, attempting to export and causing others to export” from the U.S. a decoder, which is controlled on the U.S. Munitions List. Wu was sentenced to 52 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $100 fine. BIS denied Wu’s export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.

Mauricio Martell of McAllen, Texas, was convicted Jan. 14, 2020, for trying to export to Mexico a “Bushmaster, Model XM15-E2S, multi caliber rifle” and a “Barrett, Model 82A1, .50 caliber rifle,” BIS said. Martel was sentenced to 46 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment. BIS denied Martell’s export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.

Jose Miguel Lazarin-Zurita, an inmate at an Arkansas federal prison, was convicted July 15, 2021, for trying to export to Mexico a “Kel-Tec PLR-16 rifle, a 60-round capacity drum magazine for 5.56mm ammunition and two empty 30-round 5.56mm magazines,” BIS said. Lazarin-Zurita was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served, five years of supervised release and a $200 court assessment. BIS denied Lazarin-Zurita’s export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.