Former Kansas avionics executive sentenced for smuggling technology to Russia
Former Kansas avionics executive sentenced for smuggling technology to Russia
Publish Date: 2026-06-13 17:23:00
Source Domain: www.kwch.com
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas avionics executive is heading to prison for smuggling aviation technology to Russia.
The Department of Justice said 58-year-old Douglas Robertson will spend 32 months behind bars. Robertson pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export laws by selling advanced aviation technology to buyers in Russia.
He served as vice president of KanRus Trading Company Inc. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. government tightened export controls on aviation technology. Robertson continued to purchase, sell and export the equipment to Russia without the required licenses.
Robertson was arrested in March of 2023 for smuggling U.S. avionics to Russia by lying about the exports’ value, end users and end destinations.
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