Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

14 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

15 hours ago

Trump Pushes for Release of Epstein, Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony

17 hours ago

Trump Says US to Hit India With 25% Tariff Starting Friday

18 hours ago

Tariff Revenues Hit Record $150 Billion Amid Trump’s Trade Talks, Fox Business Reports

19 hours ago

Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

20 hours ago

Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady Despite Trump’s Push for Big Cuts

20 hours ago

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

2 days ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

2 days ago
Feds Accuse Fresno Arms Dealer of Illegal Military Weapons Sales
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
May 20, 2019

Share

Ara Dolarian, who was arrested May 15 by federal agents, has been charged with illegally brokering the sale of military-grade arms and munitions, money laundering, and conspiracy, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced Monday.

Dolarian, 58, is scheduled for a detention hearing today at the federal courthouse in Fresno. He is a former sculptor and artist with a history of financial dealings that ended up in civil court.

“Homeland Security Investigations’ national security priorities include the investigation of violations of the arms export and money laundering control laws of the United States. Illegal arms brokering represents a threat, not only to U.S. national security but to the security of the international community.” — Ryan L. Spradlin, HSI Special Agent in Charge 

If convicted of unlicensed arms brokering, Dolarian faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

“Homeland Security Investigations’ national security priorities include the investigation of violations of the arms export and money laundering control laws of the United States,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, HSI Special Agent in Charge. “Illegal arms brokering represents a threat, not only to U.S. national security but to the security of the international community.”

It wasn’t immediately known if Dolarian has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

State Department Denied Dolarian Licenses

According to court documents, Dolarian was the owner and president of Dolarian Capital Inc. (DCI), an arms brokering company operating in Fresno; Washington, D.C.; and Sophia, Bulgaria.

Dolarian is a U.S. citizen and a former Fresnan who now lives in Sophia, Bulgaria.

Beginning in 2013 and continuing through 2014, the U.S. Department of State denied Dolarian’s company licenses to broker international arms deals. But during that time period, Dolarian allegedly attempted to broker a multi-million dollar transfer of high‑explosive bombs, rockets, military-grade firearms, and aircraft-mounted cannons from Eastern Europe and South Africa to the government of Nigeria.

In furtherance of this arms deal, it is alleged that in June 2014, Dolarian executed sales contracts with Societe D’Equipments Internationaux, a French arms brokering company acting on behalf of Nigeria, for the purchase and transfer of high‑explosive bombs, rockets, military-grade firearms, and aircraft-mounted cannons worth more than $8.5 million.

Dolarian Allegedly Used Shell Accounts to Obtain $8.3 Million

Dolarian submitted a brokering application with the U.S. State Department in June 2014 for the proposed deal with Nigeria. This brokering application, along with a later one, was never approved by the State Department.

Without approval from the State Department, Dolarian allegedly accepted approximately $8.3 million from Nigeria and its broker, SEI. These funds were, in part, funneled by Nigeria through a purported furniture company in Hong Kong. Then they were routed through numerous shell accounts held by Dolarian and others.

Feds Seize $6 Million in Dolarian’s Accounts

Soon after obtaining the funds, Dolarian used them to pay off personal expenses, such as federal and state tax debts, and to buy a BMW SUV. In February 2015, the federal government seized over $6 million that remained in Dolarian’s accounts, prosecutors said.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant B. Rabenn and Jeffrey Spivak, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Christian Ford of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Expert Control Section are prosecuting the case.

 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Jet Crashes in Fresno County Field, Pilot Aided by EMS

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Sentenced to 34 Years to Life in Fresno Murder Case

DON'T MISS

High Noon Recalls Mislabeled Vodka Seltzers Shipped in Celsius Cans, NBC Reports

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: New Fresno Ordinance Targets Vacant Blighted Properties

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

DON'T MISS

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

DON'T MISS

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

DON'T MISS

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

DON'T MISS

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

UP NEXT

Madera Man Sentenced to 34 Years to Life in Fresno Murder Case

UP NEXT

High Noon Recalls Mislabeled Vodka Seltzers Shipped in Celsius Cans, NBC Reports

UP NEXT

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

UP NEXT

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

UP NEXT

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

UP NEXT

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

UP NEXT

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

UP NEXT

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Order Implementing Additional 40% Tariff on Brazil, White House Says

UP NEXT

Could Madera Poach Stalled Costco? It’d Be ‘a Significant Financial Blow,’ Says Dyer

Wired Wednesday: New Fresno Ordinance Targets Vacant Blighted Properties

12 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

12 hours ago

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

12 hours ago

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

13 hours ago

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

13 hours ago

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

13 hours ago

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

14 hours ago

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

14 hours ago

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

14 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

15 hours ago

Jet Crashes in Fresno County Field, Pilot Aided by EMS

Emergency crews responded Wednesday evening after a jet crashed into a field in Fresno County, authorities said. The crash was reported arou...

8 hours ago

8 hours ago

Jet Crashes in Fresno County Field, Pilot Aided by EMS

Lavale Vean Jr., 28, was sentenced Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to 34 years to life in prison for the 2017 murder of Roberto Ramos in Fresno. (Fresno County SO)
10 hours ago

Madera Man Sentenced to 34 Years to Life in Fresno Murder Case

High Noon has recalled some vodka seltzers after they were accidentally labeled as Celsius energy drinks and shipped to six states. (Shutterstock)
11 hours ago

High Noon Recalls Mislabeled Vodka Seltzers Shipped in Celsius Cans, NBC Reports

12 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: New Fresno Ordinance Targets Vacant Blighted Properties

Fresno Unified Susan Wittrup
12 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

Adrian Hernandez Medrano, 20, accused in multiple sexual battery cases and a fatal assault in Visalia was arrested in Alaska, police said. (Visalia PD)
12 hours ago

Visalia Suspect in Fatal Assault and Serial Sexual Battery Cases Arrested in Alaska

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to journalists outside his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada June 30, 2025. (Reuters File)
13 hours ago

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

13 hours ago

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend