CA man tried to sell military F-5B fighter jet to Iran?
A seven-month government sting operation resulted in federal agents arresting a California man who allegedly tried to export a military fighter jet to Iran. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kravetz, who is prosecuting the case, Marc Knapp, 35, agreed to plead guilty to the charges, including a criminal complaint of two felony counts of attempting to export other aircraft parts and controlled technology.
A “cooperating defendant” in the case introduced Knapp to an undercover agent in the sting, who met with Knapp at locations in California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Budapest, Hungary, according to court documents. Knapp allegedly mentioned the idea of obtaining an F-5B fighter jet from a source in California. In July, Knapp allegedly sent a contract for the F-5B to the undercover agent and demanded a $3.25 million purchase price. In July, Knapp was arrested in Delaware while negotiating a plan to fly the jet from California to the East Coast, where it was to be crated, shipped to Hungary, and eventually to Iran.
The supersonic F-5B fighter, designed by Northrup, was used by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam and by Navy and Marines as a stand-in for “aggressor” fighters in training exercises. The F-5B has been primarily an export plane sold to foreign military organizations.
“Homeland Security Investigations will continue to pursue those who are willing to put America’s national security at risk,” John P. Kelleghan, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a news release. “The export of technology to Iran is prohibited so that our innovations cannot be used to harm Americans or our allies.”
Knapp would face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine if convicted.
-Bill at
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