In the Matter of: Akeem Shonari Awer; Inmate Number: 18325-104; Big Spring Correctional Institution; 2001 Rickabaugh Drive; Big Spring, TX 79720; Order Denying Export Privileges

On February 14, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Akeem Shonari Awer (“Awer”) was convicted of violating Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 2778) (“AECA”). Specifically, Awer was convicted for knowingly and willfully attempting to export firearms and ammunitions from the United States to Barbados without having first obtained the required licenses or written approval from the United States Department of State. As a result of his conviction, the Court sentenced Awer to 46 months in prison, two years of supervised released, and a $100 court assessment.

Pursuant to Section 1760(e) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (“ECRA”), the export privileges of any person who has been convicted of certain offenses, including, but not limited to, Section 38 of the AECA, may be denied for a period of up to ten (10) years from the date of his/her conviction. 50 U.S.C. 4819(e) (Prior Convictions). In addition, any Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) licenses or other authorizations issued under ECRA, in which the person had an interest at the time of the conviction, may be revoked. Id.

BIS received notice of Awer's conviction for violating Section 38 of the AECA, and has provided notice and opportunity for Awer to make a written submission to BIS, as provided in Section 766.25 of the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR” or the “Regulations”). 15 CFR 766.25. BIS has not received a written submission from Awer.

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

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered:

First, from the date of this Order until February 14, 2030, Akeem Shonari Awer, with a last known address of Inmate Number: 18325-104, Big Spring Correctional Institution, 2001 Rickabaugh Drive, Big Spring, TX 79720, 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, reexport, or transfer (in-country) 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, pursuant to Section 1760(e) of ECRA (50 U.S.C. 4819(e)) and Sections 766.23 and 766.25 of the Regulations, any other person, firm, corporation, or business organization related to Awer 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, Awer 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 set forth in Part 756 of the Regulations.

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

Sixth, this Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until February 14, 2030.