Evergreen Reporter

Bence Horvath, 46, of Spain, was arrested in San Francisco, California on charges that he conspired with others to illegally export U.S.-origin radio communications technology to Russian government end users without a license. The arrest and charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen, Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southeast Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish of the Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement (DOC) Dallas Field Office.

Horvath was apprehended upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport on August 23, 2024. He is charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA). According to the complaint, Horvath and others managed a multinational procurement network that contracted directly with various entities in the Russian government and worked on large-scale projects such as constructing operational radio communications systems in Russia’s Kursk region along the Russian/Ukrainian border. The complaint alleges that Horvath arranged to purchase U.S.-origin radio communications technology and smuggle it to Russian government end-users through affiliates located in Spain, Serbia, Hungary, Latvia, and elsewhere.

“This defendant allegedly sought to skirt U.S. export controls put in place to protect our national security and to address Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “We will continue to work with our partners to bring to justice those who scheme to secure U.S. technology in violation of U.S. laws.”

“As alleged, the defendant attempted to purchase military-grade radios for Russian entities using a multinational procurement chain to evade law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Olsen. “The Justice Department remains committed to disrupting and holding accountable criminal networks that continue to fuel Russian aggression abroad and threaten our collective security.”

“HSI protects national security by defending our U.S. import and export laws,” said Special Agent in Charge DeLaune. “This criminal thought he could exploit our laws for nefarious purposes, but thanks to HSI special agents and our partners at the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, he was stopped in his tracks.”

“Securing DoD technology and innovation from foreign adversaries is critical to U.S. national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Jones. “DCIS and our partners remain committed to protecting American-made military and dual-use technologies by using every tool at our disposal, and we’ll never rest in our pursuit of those who intend to harm the United States and our allies.”

“Targeting illicit global procurement networks that operate in the shadows to equip the Russian government is of the highest priority,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod.

According to the complaint, beginning around January 2023, Horvath initiated discussions with a small U.S. radio distribution company about procuring and exporting U.S.-manufactured military-grade radios and related accessories for Russia. Over several months, Horvath continued efforts to secure these items intending transshipment via a freight forwarder in Latvia.

As part of this conspiracy, Horvath purchased 200 military-grade radios intended for exportation but was unsuccessful as U.S. Customs detained the shipment.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigation’s New Orleans Field Office alongside DCIS and DOC's Office of Export Enforcement with assistance from Northern District California's U.S Attorney’s Office.

The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S Attorneys Christopher Tortorice and Maeghan Mikorski from D.C., Trial Attorney Sean Heiden from National Security Division’s Counterintelligence Section supported by Paralegal Specialists Kate Abrey & Jorge Casillas.

Today’s actions were coordinated through Task Force KleptoCapture dedicated enforcing sanctions against Russia post-Ukraine invasion & Disruptive Technology Strike Force aimed at preventing critical tech acquisition by hostile states.

A complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.