On December 12, 2016, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Bassem Afif Herz (“Bassem Herz”) was convicted of violating Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778 (2012)) (“AECA”). Bassem Herz was convicted of violating Section 38 of the AECA by knowingly and willfully attempting to export and cause to be exported, from the United States to Lebanon, firearms and ammunition designated as defense ( printed page 43789) articles on the United States Munitions List, without the required U.S. Department of State licenses. Bassem Herz was sentenced to 97 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and an assessment of $300. Bassem Herz also was placed on the U.S. Department of State Debarred List.

The Export Administration Regulations (“EAR” or “Regulations”) are administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”).^[1] Section 766.25 of the Regulations provides, in pertinent part, that the “Director of [BIS's] Office of Exporter Services, in consultation with the Director of [BIS's] Office of Export Enforcement, may deny the export privileges of any person who has been convicted of a violation of . . . section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778).” 15 CFR 766.25(a). The denial of export privileges under this provision may be for a period of up to 10 years from the date of the conviction. 15 CFR 766.25(d).^[2] In addition, pursuant to Section 750.8 of the Regulations, BIS's Office of Exporter Services may revoke any BIS-issued licenses in which the person had an interest at the time of his/her conviction.^[3]

BIS has received notice of Bassem Herz's conviction for violating Section 38 of the AECA and has provided, pursuant to Section 766.25 of the Regulations, notice and an opportunity for Bassem Herz to make a written submission to BIS. BIS has not received a submission from Bassem Herz.

Based upon my review and consultations with BIS's Office of Export Enforcement, including its Director, and the facts available to BIS, I have decided to deny Bassem Herz's export privileges under the Regulations for a period of 10 years from the date of Bassem Herz's conviction. I have also decided to revoke any BIS-issued licenses in which Bassem Herz had an interest at the time of his conviction.

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered:

First, from the date of this Order until December 12, 2026, Bassem Afif Herz, with a last known address of Inmate Number: 13989-029, FCI Ray Brook, P.O. Box 900, Ray Brook, NY 12977, and when acting for or on his behalf, his successors, assigns, employees, agents or representatives (“the Denied Person”), may not, directly or indirectly, participate in any way in any transaction involving any commodity, software or technology (hereinafter collectively referred to as “item”) exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to the Regulations, including, but not limited to:

A. Applying for, obtaining, or using any license, license exception, or export control document;

B. Carrying on negotiations concerning, or ordering, buying, receiving, using, selling, delivering, storing, disposing of, forwarding, transporting, financing, or otherwise servicing in any way, any transaction involving any item exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to the Regulations, or engaging in any other activity subject to the Regulations; or

C. Benefitting in any way from any transaction involving any item exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to the Regulations, or from any other activity subject to the Regulations.

Second, no person may, directly or indirectly, do any of the following:

A. Export or reexport to or on behalf of the Denied Person any item subject to the Regulations;

B. Take any action that facilitates the acquisition or attempted acquisition by the Denied Person of the ownership, possession, or control of any item subject to the Regulations that has been or will be exported from the United States, including financing or other support activities related to a transaction whereby the Denied Person acquires or attempts to acquire such ownership, possession or control;

C. Take any action to acquire from or to facilitate the acquisition or attempted acquisition from the Denied Person of any item subject to the Regulations that has been exported from the United States;

D. Obtain from the Denied Person in the United States any item subject to the Regulations with knowledge or reason to know that the item will be, or is intended to be, exported from the United States; or

E. Engage in any transaction to service any item subject to the Regulations that has been or will be exported from the United States and which is owned, possessed or controlled by the Denied Person, or service any item, of whatever origin, that is owned, possessed or controlled by the Denied Person if such service involves the use of any item subject to the Regulations that has been or will be exported from the United States. For purposes of this paragraph, servicing means installation, maintenance, repair, modification or testing.

Third, after notice and opportunity for comment as provided in Section 766.23 of the Regulations, any other person, firm, corporation, or business organization related to Bassem Herz by ownership, control, position of responsibility, affiliation, or other connection in the conduct of trade or business may also be made subject to the provisions of this Order in order to prevent evasion of this Order.

Fourth, in accordance with Part 756 of the Regulations, Bassem Herz may file an appeal of this Order with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. The appeal must be filed within 45 days from the date of this Order and must comply with the provisions of Part 756 of the Regulations.

Fifth, a copy of this Order shall be delivered to Bassem Herz and shall be published in the Federal Register .

Sixth, this Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until December 12, 2026.

In the Matter of: Bassem Afif Herz, Inmate Number: 13989-029, FCI Ray Brook, P.O. Box 900, Ray Brook, NY 12977