Washington Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Export Computers And Services To Iran

Tampa, Florida - Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that John Alexander Talley (42, Seattle, Washington), and his company, Tallyho Peripherals, Inc. d/b/a Enterprise Solutions Systems, today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transaction Regulations. Talley faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, from approximately 2009 to September 2012, Talley and his company conspired with others to unlawfully export sophisticated enterprise level computer equipment from the United States to Iran, and to provide computer IT support services for the equipment, all in violation of the United States embargo. Talley’s role was to provide training and computer IT support to ensure that the computer equipment operated in Iran. In an effort to conceal their activities, the conspirators in the United States caused shipments of the computers and related equipment, as well as the payments for same, to travel to and from the United States and Iran through the United Arab Emirates. Similarly, payments for Talley’s support services were transmitted through the UAE.

On September 12, 2013, two Iranian nationals, Mahmood Akbari a/k/a John Wassermann and Reza Hajigholamali, and three United Arab Emirate “front” companies, Patco Group Ltd., Managed Systems and Services (FZC), and TGO General Trading LLC a/k/a Three Green Orbit, were indicted in connection with the same conspiracy to violate the Iranian Embargo. Those parties are charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transaction Regulations, and a conspiracy to commit international money laundering. If convicted, Akbari and Hajigholamali each face a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison.

On July 11, 2012, co-conspirator Mohammad Reza “Ray” Hajian and three of his companies, RH International LLC, Nexiant LLC, and P & P Computers LLC, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transaction Regulations. On October 18, 2012, Hajian was sentenced to four years in federal prison.

"The magnitude and scope of the threats facing the United States has never been greater than today, and that's why Homeland Security Investigations investigates individuals who try to export sensitive technologies to embargoed nations," said Sue McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa. "Homeland Security Investigations and our partners at the Department of Commerce take pride in protecting our country, and today’s guilty plea is the latest example of our effective investigative efforts."

"Today's guilty plea is another step to dismantle a complex diversion scheme to illegally divert U.S.-origin technology through the United Arab Emirates to Iran. We will continue to pursue those who present a threat to our national security and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law," said Robert Luzzi, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, Miami Field Office.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachelle DesVaux Bedke and Mark E. Bini and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Mariclaire Rourke.