Profiling A Fox: A Counterintelligence Profile on Arms Trafficker Jacques Monsieur, Updated Edition

PROFILING THE FOX- A Counterintelligence Profile on Arms Trafficker Jacques Monsieur (PAI EDITION)

 

 

 

 

 

Case Background, Status, and Relevance:

On August 28, 2009, the U.S. counterintelligence world savored a victory as Belgian arms trafficker Jacques Monsieur was taken into custody after stepping off his plane in a New York airport. Monsieur, who has been smuggling military parts and weaponry for Iran since the early 1980s, was arrested by federal agents in August for conspiring to illegally export F-5 Fighter jet engines and spare parts from the United States to Iran. The six count indictment was the result of a seven month joint-investigation by eight separate agencies. The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), took the lead.On August 27, 2009, a United States Grand Jury from the Southeast District of Alabama indicted Monsieur and his co-conspirator, Dara Fatouhi,with counts of conspiracy, money laundering, smuggling and violations of both the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). If convicted, both men could serve a maximum of 60 years in prison. The arrest of Jacques Monsieur will not only undermine Iran’s ability to maintain its air force and equip its armed forces, it may also provide the United States with invaluable intelligence on the strength and scope of the Iranian military complex at a time when it is most needed.