IL Duo Sent Night Vision Goggles, Military Gear To Russia: Feds

MUNDELEIN, IL — Federal authorities in Los Angeles announced Monday they arrested two Illinois residents after both were named in an indictment that accuses them and three others of conspiring to illegally ship military equipment to Russia.

Elena Shifrin, 59, of Mundelein, and Vladimir Prichada, 55, of Volvo, were released on a $100,000 bond last week.

Both are charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits shipping defense articles without a license. The Illinois residents are accused of attempting to send thermal imaging riflescopes and night vision goggles overseas.

Unsealed records from the indictment accuse the pair of "a nearly four-year scheme in which the defendants purchased dozens of thermal imaging devices – most of which cost between $5,000 and $10,000 and are controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations – from sellers across the United States," the State's Attorney's Office said in a news release.

The initial grand jury also returned documents that prosecutors say show both defendants obtained many of the items using fake names and identities and filed false export information.

Representatives from the State's Attorney's Office said both Shifrin and Prichada hid thermal imaging devices among items that weren't strictly monitored when shipping them to Russia.

"In no case did any of the defendants obtain the required export licenses to export defense articles to Russia," the news release states.

The charge of conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control Act carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The second conspiracy charge alleged in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

According to the FBI's Los Angeles office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service also assisted in spotting controlled goods hidden inside non-controlled items.