California man pleads guilty in Iran missile case

[July 27, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A California man has pleaded guilty to seeking to export missile parts to Iran via the United Arab Emirates.

Andro Telemi of Sun Valley, Calif., changed his plea to guilty Thursday in Chicago federal court.

Prosecutors say an accomplice contacted the 42-year-old Telemi in 2009 and asked for his help buying and exporting 10 connector adapters used in an Iranian missile system.

Telemi allegedly negotiated a purchase for $9,500 from an Illinois company that was part of a sting.

The naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran will be sentenced Oct. 30. He faces up to 20 years in prison for one count of attempting to export defense articles without a license or approval.

There was no immediate response to a telephone message and email seeking comment from Telemi's attorney.

[Associated Press]

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