Italian national Manfred Gruber pleaded guilty on Mar. 30 in federal court in Brooklyn to conspiracy to commit export control violations, after illegally exporting over $540,000 worth of American-made ammunition from the United States to Kyrgyzstan. Most of this ammunition was later reexported to Russia. The plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to prevent the illegal transfer of military-grade materials that may support foreign conflicts, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to the official website, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York handles federal crime prosecutions and civil matters representation for the district.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg from the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr., and David Peters from the Department of Commerce announced the charges against Gruber.
“The defendant used multiple companies to hide his scheme to send military‑grade ammunition to Kyrgyzstan, before it was reexported to Russia to support its war effort,” said Nocella. “I commend our partners at the FBI and the Department of Commerce for uncovering this deadly scheme and swiftly bringing the defendant to justice.”
Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg said: “Gruber’s crimes helped sustain a bloody war that has claimed countless lives… NSD is committed to holding accountable those illegally funneling weapons and ammunition to Russia’s war machine.” Barnacle said: “Manfred Gruber facilitated an international network… The FBI continues to hold accountable any individual who utilizes U.S. companies or armaments…” Peters added: “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates our commitment…to aggressively enforce America’s export control laws.”
Court filings show Gruber was Director of Sales for an Italian company involved in purchasing U.S.-made ammunition under licenses requiring it remain in Italy; instead, he exported it onward without required licenses and took steps—such as using cutout companies—to disguise its final destination.
Encrypted messages presented in court revealed how shipments were discussed with co-conspirators about splitting deliveries so they would go unnoticed by authorities.
According to information on its official website, Breon Peace leads as United States Attorney for this office which operates as designated federal prosecutor covering Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County; it maintains offices in Brooklyn and Central Islip; supports community outreach; and provides victim assistance.
