(AFP/Ramin Talaie)

A Russian-American businessman pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of smuggling sensitive US microelectronics for Moscow after fighting the case for three years, the Justice Department said.

Alexander Fishenko, 49, was the owner of a Houston company, Arc Electronics, when he was arrested in 2012 on allegations that he had shipped to Russian military and intelligence agencies controlled electronics and computer chips that can be used in radar and surveillance systems, missile guidance systems and detonation triggers

Arc, which portrayed itself as a maker of traffic lights, gave false information to the manufacturers on the planned end-use and end-users of the electronics, and disguised the goods when shipping to avoid US export controls.

Fishenko, one of 11 people allegedly involved in the scheme who were arrested in 2012, had fought the charges, but finally pleaded guilty ahead of trial scheduled to start soon.

He faces up to 20 years in prison on each charge of violating the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act -- which involves acts purportedly aiding US enemies -- and the Arms Export Control Act; 20 years for money laundering, and 10 years for illegally acting as an agent of Russia.

"Fishenko lined his pockets at the expense of our national security," US attorney Kelly Currie said. "This prosecution highlights the importance of vigorously enforcing United States export control laws." (k)(++++)

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