A former US defense contractor has pleaded guilty to sending sensitive information about US military jet programs to Iran.
Mozaffar Khazaee, 60, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday for violating the Arms Export Control Act and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors say that Khazaee stole information about engines used in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor programs from three employers during his time as an engineer for U.S. defense contractors.
In November 2013, customs agents in Long Beach, California, seized a shipment prepared by Khazaee that was headed to Iran. Prosecutors said the shipment included numerous boxes and digital media containing thousands of documents consisting of sensitive technical manuals, specification sheets, technical drawings and other proprietary material relating to military jet engines.
On January 9, 2014, Khazaee was arrested at Newark before boarding a flight with a final destination of Iran. In his carry on officials found more sensitive documents he intended to bring with him.
Khazaee will be sentenced on May 20 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.