Dual citizen arrested for unlawfully exporting U.S. technology to Iran

HOUSTON - A 76-year-old man has been taken into custody on charges of smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as other manned aircraft, from the United States to Iran.

Gholam Reza Goodarzi aka Ron Goodarzi is a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Porter. Authorities arrested him Aug. 30 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport upon the filing of a federal criminal complaint. He has now made his initial appearance, at which time the complaint was unsealed, and he was ordered into custody pending a detention hearing set for Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho.

“Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran's military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “This prosecution represents my office’s core commitment - in partnership with the DOJ’s National Security Division, FBI and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - to disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi’s alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation.”

“For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security.”

“Illegally smuggling sensitive U.S. technology to a foreign nation jeopardizes our national security and undermines the integrity of our trade laws,” said Robert Wells, FBI Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch. “The U.S. does not tolerate illegal smuggling of our advanced tech to our adversaries, and the FBI will work with our partners to vigorously pursue and hold accountable those who violate our laws and put our country at risk.”

According to court documents, from Dec. 1, 2020, through July 5, 2024, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts, in addition to oil and drilling components, to Iran. Goodarzi allegedly purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran – typically through Dubai, UAE. He also traveled to and from Iran multiple times per year and concealed aircraft parts and other items in his checked luggage, according to the charges.

Goodarzi also allegedly exchanged multiple emails with suppliers and customers, acknowledging that parts could not be shipped to Iran because of sanctions.

The complaint alleges that on several occasions, authorities searched Goodarzi’s luggage and found numerous aircraft parts and components hidden within articles of clothing. Some of the items allegedly had characteristics consistent with parts for the production of UAVs as well as parts with electrical motor and/or generator applications.

Goodarzi does not have the required licenses to export such items to sanctioned countries, including Iran, according to the complaint.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from CBP as part of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force.

The task force is an interagency law enforcement strike force the departments of Justice and Commerce co-lead, designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states to acquire critical technology. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the strike force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

A complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.