Igor Panchernikov of Corona pleaded guilty to a conspiracy of arms exports to Russia with a network of others.
He was part of a network that exported thermal riflescopes, weapons sights, monoculars and night vision goggles to Russia. Doing so without a license is a violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Panchernikov had served in the United States Air Force Reserves.
While living in Corona from 2016 to 2018, Panchernikov received at least 19 pieces of combat equipment from his conspirators, the plea agreement says. After inspecting the equipment, he would mail it to Russia under false identification, such as listing it as women’s shoes, or mail it to Elena Shifrin of Illinois, who then mailed the equipment to Russia.
Panchernikov had escaped to Israel, where he was extradited from in July 2022.
He was originally also charged with a conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 23.
Shifrin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act. Another suspect in the conspiracy, Vladimier Pridacha of Illinois, pleaded not guilty and has an Aug. 29 trial date. Two other defendants in the case, Boris Polosin of Russia and Vladimir Gohman in Israel, are fugitives.
Case No. 2:21-cr-00259
Martin Estrada, David T. Ryan and Wilson Park represented the United States of America.
David Wasserman of the Federal Office of the Public Defender represented Panchernikov.
Read the indictment here.
Read the plea agreement here.
