U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney's Office
District of Delaware
(302) 573-6277

Alexandria Man Sentenced for Illegal Export of Firearms Parts to Sudan

(Alexandria, Virginia) – Khalid Ahmed, age 37, of Alexandria, was sentenced today to five months in federal prison, followed by five months in community confinement, a fine of $1,500, and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to cooperate with immigration officials in any removal proceedings. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Darryl W. Jackson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement; and, Mark X. McGraw, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Ahmed pled guilty on March 13, 2008, to unlawfully attempting to export firearms parts to Sudan in violation of federal law.

According to court documents, Ahmed’s guilty plea stemmed from his attempt to export to Sudan components of an assault rifle without the requisite license issued by the U.S. Department of State. The parts were discovered on August 22, 2007, at Dulles International Airport after having been packed by Ahmed in his wife’s checked luggage prior to her leaving on a trip to her native Sudan. The seizure took place after ICE agents had previously intercepted a package of gun parts sent to Sudan in the mail by Ahmed, after which time ICE agents advised him about the licensing requirements for export, and U.S. sanctions against Sudan.

The investigation also revealed that Ahmed had purchased hundreds of export-controlled items, including tactical equipment, gun parts, and other items worth several thousand dollars, which had also been unlawfully exported to Sudan. ICE and U.S. Department of Commerce agents arrested Ahmed at his Alexandria residence on January 31, 2008. He is a native of Sudan and had applied for and received status in the United States as Legal Permanent Resident.

This case was investigated by ICE; the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement; and, the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Neil Hammerstrom prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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