Ivorian National Extradited to the United States to Face Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy Charges

CLEVELAND - An Ivorian national has been extradited to the United States for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle goods out of the United States, involving dozens of firearms allegedly headed for Africa.

Bile Jean Philippe Assemian, 49, a citizen of Côte d'Ivoire, made his first appearance in U.S. District Court Sept. 26. He was arrested in Kenya June 26, by Kenyan authorities at the request of the United States and surrendered to the United States pursuant to an extradition request.

His alleged co-conspirator Koffi Andrea Versaint Taregue, 45, an Ivorian national with permanent resident status, remains at large.

According to the superseding indictment, from November 2018 to October 2020, the men obtained at least 58 firearms in Northern Ohio and elsewhere by coordinating with others to buy on their behalf or by purchasing themselves. The firearms were allegedly packaged and concealed in household goods. The defendants utilized an export company to deliver the items out of the country but did not disclose that the pre-packaged shipments in fact contained firearms and related parts, such as suppressors. The defendants did not have the required written approvals or licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce or U.S. Department of State to export the items.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Division.

Assemian is charged with conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and faces a maximum of up to five years in prison.

Taregue is charged with conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, six counts of smuggling goods from the United States, six counts of control of arms exports and imports, and one count each of unlicensed dealing in firearms, making a false statement to the FBI, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. He faces a combined maximum of up to 205 years in prison.

If convicted, each defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant's prior criminal record, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Cleveland Joint Terrorism Task Force, including agents from the FBI Cleveland Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations also provided assistance.

Assistant United States Attorney Segev Phillips for the Northern District of Ohio is leading the prosecution with substantial assistance provided by Trial Attorney Yifei Zheng of the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Assemian's arrest and extradition from Kenya. His extradition was possible due to an extensive coordinated effort between the United States and the Republic of Kenya. Kenyan agencies that provided valuable assistance include the Kenya Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and its Directorate of Criminal Investigations; Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services; Kenya Aviation Authority; and the Kenya Police Service as well as the FBI's Legal Attaché Office in Nairobi.

An indictment is merely an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.