ICE deports Italian national convicted of trafficking assault weapon components

An Italian national sentenced to 11 months in prison for trafficking assault rifle components and night vision goggles into the United States was deported to Italy on Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers.

Giovanni Zannoni, 35, was arrested by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers just one day after entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program in May 2017. He was charged in federal court with trafficking assault rifle components and thermal night vision goggles that are listed as defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List.

Zannoni, a former member of the Italian military, was ordered to serve 11 months in federal prison and forfeit $436,673 in gun parts and night vision goggles. An ICE release stated, “The United States Department of State requires a license for the export of sensitive night vision equipment and assault rifle components, and has placed restrictions on the export of items that it has determined could make a significant contribution to the military potential and weapons proliferation of other nations and that could be detrimental to the foreign policy and national security of the United States.”

ICE took custody of Zannoni in April. ERO officers transported him on a commercial flight to Italy where he was turned over to Italian authorities.