Brooklyn, NY
A federal judge on Monday sentenced Vadim Yermolenko, a dual U.S.–Russian national from New Jersey, to 30 months in prison for his role in a transnational arms trafficking and money laundering scheme.
Prosecutors said the network sought to obtain ammunition and sensitive dual-use electronics for Russia’s military and intelligence services, officials stated.
Yermolenko must also forfeit $75,547. He pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, bank fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Court records show Vadim Yermolenko worked with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based procurement firms that used global shell companies and bank accounts — including in the U.S. — to hide Russia’s role in acquiring restricted American technology.
Prosecutors said Yermolenko and his co-conspirators illegally purchased and exported sensitive U.S. electronics tied to nuclear, hypersonic, quantum, and other military applications. He helped set up shell companies and move more than $12 million through U.S. accounts, funds that were never reported to the IRS.
Some of the money went toward equipment for radar, surveillance, and weapons research, and at least one shipment of export-controlled sniper bullets was intercepted in Estonia before reaching Russia, according to authorities.
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Serniya, Sertal, and related entities in February 2022. Two co-defendants have already been convicted: Nikolaos Bogonikolos, sentenced to 15 months, and Alexey Brayman, who has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.