U.S. Army captain gets 1 year for smuggling firearms parts to Japan

Saturday 08th November, 04:55 PM JST

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RakishGadfly at 09:40 PM JST - 8th November

You tell 'em elbud! I'm sure the Defense Intelligence Agency never even considered such a thing so please formally tip them off and ask that they investigate all US military personnel with even a vague family connection to Japan, cuz you know that it's perfectly reasonable to accuse people based solely upon their ethnicity, right?

By the way, he was charged with breaking export control laws, nothing to do with spying.
Molenir at 10:14 PM JST - 8th November

Was definitely a stupid thing to do. I wouldn't agree with a year in jail either. Looks like neither the prosecutors or the defense wanted jail time. The judge decided it merited it though.
RakishGadfly at 02:33 AM JST - 9th November

Betting - good to see that you agree with the viewpoint of "the Japanese".
cwhite at 04:04 AM JST - 9th November

"60 sights attached to guns"

thats not a component? and if it was just the sights it wouldn't be a problem.
RakishGadfly at 06:16 AM JST - 9th November

cwhite;

I think they were holographic sights which can be exported which are mainly for military use, but you need an export permit to do so.
okapake at 07:07 AM JST - 9th November

The US Army will bury him in a desk job somewhere until his out. The end of his career in the Army. Don't think he has enough time to retire either.
OssanAmerica at 07:44 AM JST - 9th November

This scum bag sounds like a Japanese spy in the US Army

Does your calendar say 1942 on it?
Suzu1 at 09:20 AM JST - 9th November

Iishiba's father was a policeman in Tokyo. This conviction has got to be a shock. I wonder if the recipients in Japan broke any laws in receiving the parts, which according to a Seattle times article were 60 EoTech 553 night vision-style sights. The firearm components he shipped were upper receivers modified for Airsoft. The export laws have to be enforced, but companies like FLIR continually flaunt them and get away with it.
bebert at 10:18 AM JST - 9th November

Much ado about nothing. A victim-less crime. The U.S. had citizens shipping .50 caliber sniper rifles to Kosovar terrorists in violation of the Neutrality Act - a real crime - and none of those men were prosecuted.
oberst at 02:10 PM JST - 9th November

DEMOTE THE SUCKER to buck private
sekido54 at 09:18 PM JST - 9th November

This must be the same guy in many of the Japanese military magazines I've read. I've got not respect for this guy!
kjunluc2 at 01:18 AM JST - 10th November

If he was sentenced in a civilian court then he will be considered AWOL during the time he's in prison. He will then be court-martialed and most likely dishonorably discharged. I'm assuming the UCMJ has not changed.

I'd say he's in a heap o' trouble with the army.
oberst at 04:26 AM JST - 10th November

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4A66NA20081107

demote this major to buck private too, yes, let him share the cell with the captain.
Taka313 at 08:18 AM JST - 10th November

I'd say he got off somewhat easy on the charge.

Taka
skipthesong at 08:00 PM JST - 11th November

Actually, I think this guys is going to be fine. While I was in the army, heard many things about soldiers and Yakuza running guns in Japan.

They'll take care of him once he's out. I wonder, if he became an American, does he also hold Japanese nationality still which would make it hard for the US to do anything to him once he comes to Japan?