San Diego
U.S. District Court Judge Leland Nielsen on Tuesday ruled that a man accused of heading a smuggling ring that sold stolen U.S. aircraft parts to Iran can be held without bail. Nielsen upheld a ruling by Magistrate Roger C. McKee, who last month ordered Franklin P. Agustin jailed without bail.
However, Nielsen ordered five other defendants charged in the case to return to McKee’s courtroom for bail setting. Julie Agustin, Franklin’s wife; Edgar Agustin, Franklin’s brother; Pedro M. Quito; Primitivo B. Cayabyab, and Antonio G. Rodriguez will appear before McKee Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Saeid Asefi Inanlou, an Iranian charged in the case, was arrested in London but was released on bail after he was charged with violating British export laws. U.S. officials are attempting to extradite Inanlou to this country so he can be tried along with the other defendants.
The seven were charged in a 61-count federal indictment that alleges they stole F-14 Tomcat parts from various Navy bases and ships. The parts were then shipped to Inanlou in London and forwarded to the Iranian Air Force, the indictment says.
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