Greenbelt, Maryland - A federal grand jury indicted Brian Thomas Platt, age 39, of Waldorf, Maryland, for illegally attempting to export and exporting firearms parts and other items designated as defense articles. The indictment was returned on December 7, 2015 and unsealed today.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) - Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division.
To further the security and foreign policy of the United States, the export from the United States of certain items designated as defense articles is controlled. Before exporting defense articles, the exporter is required to obtain an export license and identify the nature of the defense articles to be exported, the end-recipient and the purpose for which they are intended.
According to the three count indictment, on the following occasions, Platt exported and caused the exportation of the following firearm parts and accessories designated as defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List, without first obtaining the required licenses and authorizations: on June 24, 2014, an Uzi trigger group and two Uzi top covers, from the United States and destined to France; on Aug. 14, 2014, three M-16 selectors, three M-16 disconnectors, three M-16 auto sear assemblies and three M-16 hammers from the United States and destined to Thailand; and on October 4, 2014, an 18 ½ inch IMI Factory Galil 5.56mm barrel from the United States and destined for Finland.
Platt faces a sentence of 20 years in prison on each of three counts for unlawful export of defense articles. An initial appearance was held on December 8, 2015 and Platt was released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services. Platt is scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on Dec. 21, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, DCIS and ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mara Zusman Greenberg, who is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
