Where Industry and Security Intersect
What's New | Sitemap | Search
For
Immediate Release: June 20, 2006 Contact - BIS Public Affairs 202-482-2721 |
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Western District of Pennsylvania
(412) 894-7312
NEWS RELEASE:
CITIZEN OF INDIA CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, June 20, 2006, that Manoj Bhayana, a citizen of India currently residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on charges of Conspiracy to commit several federal violations related to the shipment of graphite products to the United Arab Emirates with potential nuclear and military applications.
The one-count indictment named Bhayana, age 39, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment presented to the Court, Bhayana conspired with an individual and several corporations to falsify documents related to the graphite shipment, and then attempted to mislead federal investigators when questioned about the shipment and the documents.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
