A federal court has sentenced Bence Horvath, 47, a dual citizen of Hungary and Spain residing in the United Arab Emirates, to 31 months in prison for conspiring to illegally export U.S.-made military-grade radios to the Russian government. The conviction highlights the United States’ growing efforts to curb illicit technology transfers that could undermine national security or bolster foreign military capabilities amid escalating global tensions.

According to court filings, Horvath pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to violate U.S. export control laws. In addition to his prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release, pay a $5,000 fine, and will be deported upon completing his term. Federal prosecutors described the scheme as “a deliberate attempt to funnel sensitive American defense technology into the hands of a sanctioned foreign power.”

Court documents reveal that Horvath began working in early 2023 to acquire specialized radio communication equipment from a small U.S. distributor based in the Midwest. The radios—designed for encrypted, long-range military use—are classified as controlled defense articles under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), meaning their shipment to Russia is strictly prohibited without explicit government authorization.
Investigators say Horvath intended to route the devices through a freight forwarding company in Latvia to disguise their final destination. He allegedly falsified shipping manifests and invoices to conceal that the end users were Russian defense clients. However, his plan unraveled when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted the shipment at a U.S. port before it left the country.

The case was the result of a coordinated investigation led by the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southeast Field Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California provided additional prosecutorial support.
“Export control laws are essential to protecting America’s technological edge and national defense,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Caputo of OEE. “When individuals like Mr. Horvath attempt to circumvent these safeguards, they not only break the law but endanger U.S. interests abroad.”

Federal prosecutors emphasized that the sentence should serve as a deterrent to similar attempts. “We will aggressively pursue those who seek to arm or assist hostile foreign powers, no matter where they reside,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sarah Jenkins. “The message is clear—if you target American technology for illegal export, we will find you, prosecute you, and ensure you face consequences.”

Horvath’s attorneys described him as a businessman motivated by financial opportunity rather than ideology, arguing for leniency due to his cooperation and lack of prior criminal history. Nonetheless, Judge Leonard Kline noted that “national security violations of this nature cannot be minimized” and imposed the full custodial sentence recommended under federal guidelines.

The sentencing comes as Washington intensifies enforcement of sanctions and export restrictions targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex, following its continued aggression in Eastern Europe. U.S. officials have warned that global networks—often operating through third countries—have become increasingly sophisticated in smuggling components used for battlefield communications, drones, and missile guidance systems.

In a separate development, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro highlighted a significant decline in violent crime during a recent community forum in Washington, D.C., attributing the improvement to former President Donald Trump’s national law enforcement surge. While Pirro praised the results, local residents expressed unease over reports of “masked federal agents” operating in residential neighborhoods.

That same day, President Trump signed an executive order reinstating the federal death penalty for certain crimes, including the killing of police officers—a policy reversal from the moratorium imposed under President Biden. Under the directive, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Pirro have been tasked with ensuring capital punishment is pursued in all eligible cases.

The Horvath case, though separate, underscores the broader theme dominating Washington’s agenda: enforcing law and order at home and abroad. As the U.S. government balances justice, deterrence, and diplomacy, one thing is clear—violating export controls or defying national security restrictions remains a fast track to federal prison.