Arms dealer gets 23 months in Ala. smuggling case

[September 24, 2010]  MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- A Belgian-born arms dealer has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge accusing him of trying to illegally export fighter jet engines to Iran.

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced 57-year-old Jacques Monsieur, who had more serious charges dismissed. Prosecutors say Monsieur has provided assistance to law enforcement officials.

The charges stemmed from exchanges Monsieur had with an anti-smuggling undercover unit. He was accused of trying to buy engines for aging F-5 fighter jets that were sold to Iran before its 1979 Islamic revolution.

With credit for 13 months already served, Monsieur has about 10 months in prison left.

The sentence was first reported by the Press-Register in Mobile.

[Associated Press]

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