A 64-year-old Dana Point man is facing federal charges of illegally sending computer servers to Iran.
Johnny Paul Tourino was named in a 23-count grand jury indictment handed down on March 7 and unsealed on Friday, according to Thom Mrozek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Tourina and his company, Spectra Equipment Inc., are accused of violating federal law that regulates the export of certain goods. He and the firm are charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods out of the country and money laundering, Mrozek said.
From January 2014 through July of last year, Tourino and his company and at least two others allegedly bought and sent computer servers to Iran without getting the required licenses from the federal government. The servers could be used for commercial applications or for military purposes, Mrozek said.
Tourino is accused of telling the manufacturer that the computer servers were going to be sent to Kuwait and Slovenia, Mrozek said.
The defendant was arrested Feb. 7 and pleaded not guilty to the indictment in March.
Tourino faces up to 430 years in prison and fines of up to $13.25 million if convicted at trial, scheduled for March of next year.
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