A Russian national in New Jersey has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his involvement in a Kremlin weapons procurement scheme. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A Russian national living in New Jersey has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years for his role in helping the Kremlin illegally acquire ammunition and sensitive dual-use electronics, the Justice Department said.
U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez sentenced Vadim Yermolenko, who is in his mid-40s, in a Brooklyn courtroom Monday to 30 months in prison for his role in the international procurement and money laundering scheme.
"The defendant lied to banks, facilitated the illegal export of ammunition and sensitive technology and evaded income taxes, all as part of a global procurement and money laundering network operated on behalf of the Russian Government," U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella of the Eastern District of New York said in a statement.
"Today's sentence should send a message to all who would consider abusing the financial system to commit crimes on behalf of foreign nations: This office will find you, prosecute you and, if you are convicted, seek a significant prison sentence."
