DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A Decatur man is now facing charges associated with a Venezuelan Sanctions Case.
According to the Department of Justice, Thomas Michael Fortinberry, 51, of Decatur, has been accused of conspiring to sell chemical catalysts, industrial equipment, and associated services to Venezuelan state-owned steel mills and petrochemical companies that are subject to U.S. sanctions.
He was arrested on June 13.
Officials told News 19 that Fortinberry, along with a co-defendant, allegedly used U.S. and overseas front companies that served as intermediaries on shipping documents.
The pair also used foreign bank accounts that moved money in and out of the United States. Officials said that other activities were also designed to hide the fact that the goods and services were destined for sanctioned entities.
If convicted, Fortinberry could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the sanctions and money laundering violations, and 10 years in prison for the smuggling violation.
The case remains under investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
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