Zavik Zargarian, 52, of Glendale, and Vache Nayirian, 57, of Lakeview Terrace, were taken into custody Wednesday, October 26, arraigned and allowed to post bond, the Justice Department announced Friday.

Zargarian`s Glendale-based company ZNC Engineering was named in the nine-count federal indictment along with two Iranian nationals — Hanri Terminassian, 55, and Hormoz Nowrouz, 56 — who are believed to be in Iran, officials said.

According to the indictment, Terminassian originally contacted Zargarian from Iran and asked for help buying military aircraft parts from U.S.-based suppliers.

Zargarian then tried to buy the desired items from an undercover Homeland Security special agent who was posing as a parts supplier, prosecutors said.

The items included parts used in F-14, F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighter jets, officials said, according to the Post.
Prosecutors claim Terminassian traveled to the U.S. to meet with both Zargarian and the undercover special agent to discuss the transaction.

The indictment alleges the men sought to purchase between 10 and 30 units of each item, with the total cost potentially exceeding $3.6 million.

The indictment also claims Zargarian and Nayirian conspired with Terminassian and Nowrouz to secretly export more than 7,000 fluorocarbon rubber O-rings to Iran over the course of the conspiracy.

It alleges Terminassian contacted Nayirian and Zargarian on behalf of Nowrouz and sought their help to obtain the O-rings, which can be used in military aircraft hydraulic systems and landing gear.

Terminassian allegedly transferred funds to Nayirian, and the California man later provided the money to Zargarian.

Zargarian and Nayirian entered not guilty pleas and were given a Dec. 20 trial date, officials said.

If convicted as charged, Zargarian faces up to 115 years in federal prison and a $4.8 million fine.
Nayirian could face up to 95 years in federal prison and $3.8 million in fines if convicted of all counts.

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