Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Prison for Illegally Exporting Firearm Parts to Israel

CHICAGO -A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for illegally shipping firearm parts to Israel.

AMIN BETUNI shipped the firearm parts to individuals in Israel on at least three occasions in 2022. The parts included rifle barrels, gas blocks for rifles, and bolt carrier groups. Betuni put false information on the shipping labels and concealed the firearm parts in packages containing auto parts or George Foreman grills. The firearm parts were on the United States Commerce Control List and subject to federal export regulations. As such, their export from the U.S. to Israel required a license or written approval from the Department of Commerce, neither of which was obtained by Betuni prior to his shipments.

During a court-authorized search of Betuni's residence in Palos Hills, Ill., in December 2022, law enforcement discovered more than 1,200 rounds of assorted ammunition, a shotgun, rifle, and handgun, additional bolt carrier groups, and three firearm conversion devices, also known as "Glock switches," which equip firearms to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger.

Betuni, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal charge of knowingly and fraudulently exporting firearm parts in violation of U.S. laws and regulations. U.S. District Judge John F. Kness on Thursday sentenced Betuni to 46 months in federal prison.

The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and Aaron Tambrini, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Palos Hills, Ill. Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn D. McCarthy.

"Export-control violations are critically important because they undermine federal laws and regulations that seek to protect international security," said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. "The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit U.S. export-control laws for financial gain."

"The sentencing of Betuni to 46 months in federal prison for illegally shipping firearm parts highlights the serious consequences of violating export control laws," said SAC Fitzgerald. "This case underscores the critical importance of strong law enforcement partnerships. By working together, we can effectively investigate and prosecute those who stand in the way of public safety."

"The sentencing of Amin Betuni sends a strong message to those that violate export controls," said SAC Tambrini. "This multi-agency investigation demonstrates the commitment by law enforcement to intercept firearms hidden in small appliances to thwart the illegal trade of firearms around the globe."