Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States
Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Xanthie C. Mangum, Acting
Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today
that Alberto Pichardo, 40, of Weston, Florida, Freddy Arguelles, 37, of
Pembroke Pines, Florida; Victor Brown, 55, of Hialeah, Florida; and Kirk
Drellich, 49, of Davie, Florida, were charged for their involvement in
violations of the Arms Export Control Act. The intended destination of the
defense articles was the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Three of the defendants, Alberto
Pichardo, Freddy Arguelles, and Victor Brown, are expected to make their
initial appearances in federal court before Magistrate Judge Otazo-Reyes on
June 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The fourth defendant, Kirk Drellich, is expected to
make his initial appearance in federal court on July 3, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
According to the informations filed,
Alberto Pichardo was charged with engaging in two separate conspiracies to
violate the Arms Export Control Act and two additional counts of having
violated the Arms Export Control Act. If convicted, Alberto Pichardo faces a
maximum term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on
each conspiracy count; and 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $1,000,000
for each violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Victor Brown was charged with engaging
in a conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and 18 additional counts
of having violated the Arms Export Control Act. If convicted, Victor Brown
faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine up to
$250,000 on the conspiracy count; and 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to
$1,000,000 for each violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Kirk Drellich was charged with engaging
in a conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act. If convicted, Kirk
Drellich faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine up
to $250,000.
Freddy Arguelles was charged with
engaging in a conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act. If convicted,
Freddy Arguelles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to five years and a
fine up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Ferrer commended the
investigative efforts of the agents of the FBI for their hard work in this
matter. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Thomas J.
Mulvihill.
An information is merely an accusation
and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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