International Firearms Trafficker Sentenced To More Than Two Years In Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Vladimir Volgaev (69, Sarasota) to two years and nine months in federal prison for theft of government property and smuggling goods from the United States, in violation of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The court also ordered Volgaev to forfeit $6,835, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense.

Volgaev had pleaded guilty on August 19, 2019.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, between 2011 and 2018, Volgaev shipped more than 1,600 firearm components—including barrels, slides, receivers, and frames—from the United States to Ukraine. These components were used to construct fully functional firearms, including handguns and rifles. While engaged in this conduct, Volgaev lived in housing subsidized by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). In periodic renewal applications, Volgaev lied to HUD about his personal finances, including the income he had gained from illicit firearm trafficking.

“Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) special agents are committed to combating the illegal smuggling of firearm parts that fuel violence both domestically and abroad,” said HSI Tampa acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs.           

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.