Guilty Plea in Case of New Jersey Man Accused of Smuggling Electronic Components to Aid Russia’s War Effort
Background
A New Jersey man, Vadim Yermolenko, 43, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and other charges for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.
The Conspiracy
Yermolenko, who has dual U.S. and Russian citizenship, was indicted along with six other people in December 2022. The conspirators worked with two Moscow-based companies controlled by Russian intelligence services to acquire electronic components in the U.S. that have civilian uses but can also be used to make nuclear and hypersonic weapons and in quantum computing. The exporting of the technology violated U.S. sanctions.
The Charges
Yermolenko faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy. He is accused of helping set up shell companies and U.S. bank accounts to move money and export-controlled goods. Money from one of his accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets that were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.
Co-Defendants
One of Yermolenko’s co-defendants, Alexey Brayman of Merrimack, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty previously to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentencing. Another co-defendant, Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected officer with Russia’s Federal Security Service, was arrested in Estonia and extradited to the United States. He was later released from U.S. custody as part of a prisoner exchange that included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and other individuals.
The Investigation
The prosecution was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency entity dedicated to enforcing sanctions imposed after Russian invaded Ukraine. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Yermolenko "joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression."
Conclusion
The guilty plea is a significant blow to those who sought to circumvent U.S. sanctions and aid Russia’s war effort. The case highlights the importance of vigilance in enforcing sanctions and preventing the proliferation of sensitive technology.
FAQs
Q: What was Vadim Yermolenko’s role in the conspiracy?
A: Yermolenko was accused of helping set up shell companies and U.S. bank accounts to move money and export-controlled goods.
Q: What are the possible penalties for Yermolenko?
A: Yermolenko faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
Q: Who else was charged in the case?
A: Six other people were charged along with Yermolenko in December 2022.
Q: How is the case related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
A: The case is related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as the conspiracy sought to acquire sensitive technology to aid Russia’s war effort.
