Former Kansas business executive and Latvian broker sentenced to prison for violating U.S. export laws by smuggling avionics equipment to Russia

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A former executive of a Kansas-based avionics company was sentenced to 32 months in prison for circumventing United States export laws to sell advanced aviation technology to Russian end users.

According to court documents, Douglas Edward Robertson, 58, of Olathe, Kansas, the former vice president of KanRus Trading Company Inc., pleaded guilty to export control and money laundering violations.

After Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. government tightened export controls concerning Russia. Robertson and two codefendants continued to purchase, sell, and export sophisticated and controlled avionics equipment to customers in Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Robertson was arrested in March 2023 for smuggling U.S. avionics to Russia by lying about the exports' value, end users, and end destinations.

Oleg Chistyakov, a/k/a Olegs Čitsjakovs, 56, of the Republic of Latvia, acted as a broker for KanRus. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to his part in the conspiracy.

Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 63, of Lawrence, the former President and owner of KanRus, is awaiting sentencing. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering, and he consented to the forfeiture of over $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and accessories and a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.

"The U.S. changed trade restrictions with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine for a reason. These defendants put money over country and considered themselves more clever than Customs officials. They thought they could circumvent the restrictions without being detected, but they were wrong," said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. "Smugglers can't fly under the radar without federal investigators ultimately uncovering their criminal activities."

"The sentencing marks another milestone in the government's successful effort to hold those accountable who conspire to circumvent and bypass U.S. regulations. The individuals in this case conspired to illegally purchase, sell and export sophisticated aviation equipment to Russia. Robertson's fraudulent actions were willful and substantial. The sentencing should provide assurance to the public: the FBI will investigate and arrest those who wish to violate our nation's laws," said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement investigated the case. The Latvian authorities assisted in the investigation while U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided substantial assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas as well as Adam Barry, a former trial attorney of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, prosecuted the case. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.

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