May 11, 2007

Indonesian businessman sentenced to 48 months in prison for arms trafficking
Attempted to illegally smuggle weapons and defense items totaling more than $1 million

DETROIT - An Indonesian businessman was sentenced here today to four years in prison for violating the Arms Export Control Act and money laundering. Today's sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy, Eastern District of Michigan; Brian M. Moskowitz, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), special agent in charge; and James G. Randas, resident agent in charge of the Columbus, Ohio, office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS).

Hadianto Djoko Djuliarso, 41, of Jakarta, Indonesia, was sentenced here by U.S. District Court Judge John Feikens to 48 months in prison and two years supervised probation for violating the Arms Export Control Act. Additionally, Djuliarso waived all rights to $600,693 in proceeds obtained during the investigation.

Today's sentence follows an investigation by ICE and DCIS, where Djuliarso and Ibrahim Amran attempted to purchase defense articles, including radar and guidance parts for military aircraft, and smuggle those items out of the United States. Djuliarso and other members of the conspiracy also took steps to purchase other weapons, including: 882 machine guns, 800 H&K handguns, and 16 sniper rifles. They also made inquiries into purchasing 245 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and a large quantity of strafing ammunition. The total worth of the illegal export items was more than $1 million.

The scheme was uncovered by ICE and DCIS agents working in Michigan and Hawaii, who arrested Djuliarso and Amran before any of the military weaponry left the country. They also confiscated more than $600,000 in funds which was transferred to the United States to pay for the first shipment of defense equipment.

"This case reveals the importance of keeping sensitive U.S. military components out of the wrong hands," said Brian Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Detroit. "This ICE and DCIS joint investigation halted the illegal proliferation of arms and strategic technology."

Three additional defendants have been pleaded guilty in this case, including:

• Ignatius Soeharli, 49, of Indonesia, pleaded guilty on Jan. 11, 2007 to violating the Arms Export Control Act. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Soeharli faces up to 57 months imprisonment. A sentencing date for Soeharli has not been set.
• Ibrahim bin Amran, 46, of Singapore, pleaded guilty in December 2006 to charges of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and money laundering. Bin Amran faces up to 87 months imprisonment. A sentencing date for Bin Amran has not been set.
• David Beecroft, 44, of the United Kingdom pleaded guilty in October 2006 to conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act. He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

All four will be deported after they serve their prison sentences.

Assistant U.S Attorney Bruce Judge, Eastern District of Michigan, prosecuted the case.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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