SANTA ANA, CALIF.
A federal court sentenced a defendant on Thursday to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a scheme to smuggle rifle scopes and other tactical gear to Syria in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and sanctions imposed on Syria by the U.S., according to officials.
Rasheed Al Jijakli, 57, a Syrian-born naturalized U.S. citizen who resides in Walnut, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James V. Selna.
During today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Selna agreed with prosecutors that the goods Jijakli took to Syria were “instruments of death.”
Jijakli plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge on August 13 and admitted he conspired with others to export tactical gear from the United States to Syria. That tactical gear included U.S.-origin laser boresighters, and day- and night-vision rifle scopes.
From June through July of 2012, Jijakli and a co-conspirator purchased the Tactical Gear. On July 17, 2012, Jijakli traveled with the tactical gear from Los Angeles to Istanbul with the intent that it would be provided to Syrian rebels training in Turkey and fighting in Syria, according to authorities.
Jijakli provided some of the tactical gear, specifically the laser boresighters, to a second co-conspirator, who Jijakli learned was a member of the militant group Ahrar Al-Sham.
Jijakli also provided the goods to other armed Syrian insurgent groups in Syria and Turkey.
Jijakli and his co-conspirators knowingly provided at least 43 laser boresighters, 85-day rifle scopes, 30 night-vision rifle scopes, tactical flashlights, a digital monocular, five radios, and a bulletproof vest to Ahrar Al-Sham and other Syrian rebels in Syria, or with the knowledge that the tactical gear was going to Syria.
Additionally, in August and September 2012, Jijakli directed co-conspirators to withdraw thousands of dollars from Palmyra Corporation, where Jijakli was the chief executive officer, to pay for tactical gear that would be provided to Syrian rebels.
In his plea agreement, Jijakli specifically admitted directing that $17,000 from Palmyra be used to purchase tactical gear intended for Syrian rebels.