MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – A 68-year-old Wisconsin man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to illegally exporting scientific equipment to companies in Russia.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, Andrew Pogosyan of Madison pleaded guilty to a four-count criminal information charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States and smuggling goods from the United States.
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U.S. District Judge William M. Conley accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for Oct. 7. Pogosyan is a U.S. citizen born in Russia.
“Today’s plea is the culmination of the outstanding work by our law enforcement partners,” Acting U.S. Attorney Elgersma said in a statement. “As part of our ongoing commitment to protecting national security, this office will hold accountable those who violate export control laws.”
“Mr. Pogosyan threatened the national security of the United States by violating sanctions and illegally exporting scientific laboratory equipment to companies in Russia,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI continues to tirelessly work with our law enforcement partners to investigate anyone who helps foreign adversaries evade sanctions. Pogosyan’s actions undermined the protections put in place to ensure U.S. national security.”
The U.S. government regulates the export of goods, technology and software. On Feb. 24, 2022, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security implemented export control regulations in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Those regulations prohibit the export of certain items to Russia without a license. On Sept. 16, 2022, the restrictions were expanded to include items potentially useful to Russia’s chemical and biological weapons capabilities.
Under the Export Control Reform Act, it is a federal crime to willfully violate export control regulations.
According to court filings and statements made during the plea hearing, Pogosyan, through his company Omega Diagnostics LLC, knowingly exported scientific and diagnostic research equipment to Russia without the required licenses. Between September 2022 and October 2023, Pogosyan used third-party countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Latvia and Lithuania to conceal the final destination of the shipments. He also conspired with Russian-based individuals and companies to circumvent U.S. export restrictions.
When sentenced, Pogosyan faces up to five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years for each of the smuggling counts.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI; the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement; and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
