Man Who Exported Hunting Rifles to Russia Amid Ukraine War Gets 18 Months in EDNY

Man Who Exported Hunting Rifles to Russia Amid Ukraine War Gets 18 Months in EDNY by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack EDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 24 – A man who pled guilty to exporting weapons in violation of the Export Control Reform Act - with Russia as the ultimate destination although he denied knowing that - was up for sentencing in EDNY on August 24 before Judge Hector Gonzalez. Inner City Press, in the courthouse to argue for unsealing before Judge William F. Kuntz II, was also there.    Judge Gonzalez deemed defendant Manfred Gruber's denial of knowing where the weapons would go willful blindness.  A claimed uptick in Kyrgyz demand for hunting rifles did not pass his smell test.     The defendant is 62 and says he barely sleeps; the Bureau of Prisons food is said to aggravate a leg condition. He claims to have worked closely with Italian law enforcement. But, Judge Gonzalez asked, wouldn't that be an aggravating factor, that he knew the stakes?     The defense said Gruber got no profits from the transactions - again, a possible aggravating factor, the judge mused.  The defense retorted that he had known it was illegal, he would not have done it for no money. He name checked SDNY Judge Jed S. Rakoff for the old saw about considering a defendant's whole life. The prosecutor painted a picture of experience arms dealer who was aware he was assisting Russian and did it anyway. They reiterated their request for a guideline sentencing: 46 months minimum.   At the end Gruber himself said he took responsibility and offered apologies. He said he still love the USA, adding he flies the stars and stripes outside his home on July 4. He said he has been shamed by press coverage in Italy.    Judge Gonzalez varied below the 46 to 57 month guideline, down to 18 months, ten of which have already been served. The defense asked for Otisville, and then removal back to Italy. Arrivaderci! *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2026 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com