Wisconsin Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Smuggling Lab Equipment to Russian Companies Amid Sanctions, Officials Say
MADISON, WISCONSIN — A 68-year-old Wisconsin businessman has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for illegally exporting laboratory equipment to Russian companies, including one that prosecutors say conducted chemical research for the Russian military.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Andrew Pogosyan, a Russian-born U.S. citizen living in Madison, used his company, Omega Diagnostics LLC, to ship restricted scientific equipment to Russia in violation of federal trade sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Federal Prosecutors: Illegal Shipments Began After Sanctions
Court documents show Pogosyan began using his business in September 2022 to secretly export laboratory equipment to Russian research entities.
At the time, the U.S. Department of Commerce had placed strict export controls on technology and goods that could be used to produce chemical or biological weapons.
Instead of obtaining the required federal export license, prosecutors said Pogosyan routed shipments through third-party countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Latvia, and Lithuania, to disguise their final destination in Russia.
“These deceptive shipments were designed to evade export restrictions and mask the end users of sensitive lab equipment,” prosecutors stated.
Judge Hands Down Sentence
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Conley sentenced Pogosyan to a year and a day in prison and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine.
Pogosyan had pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to defraud the United States and three counts of smuggling.
He had faced up to 35 years in prison, but Judge Conley reportedly took into account his cooperation with investigators and the lack of evidence that the equipment was used for anything beyond medical or environmental research.
“Mr. Pogosyan is a good man who did not fully understand the ramifications of his actions,” defense attorney William Coffield said in an email statement.
Context: U.S. Tightens Sanctions on Russian Exports
The case underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions and export controls against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Under the sanctions, U.S. exporters are prohibited from shipping sensitive equipment — such as lab instruments, computer chips, and dual-use technologies — that could bolster Russia’s weapons programs or scientific research linked to its military.
Officials say Pogosyan’s conviction highlights the importance of maintaining strict oversight on exports with potential military or research applications.
“This case demonstrates that attempts to circumvent U.S. export laws will not go unpunished,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
This conviction reflects a growing push to hold individuals accountable for sanctions violations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. For more updates on international and federal cases involving Wisconsin residents, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.