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September 5, 2019Philadelphia, PA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ICE removes German man convicted of violating US economic sanctions on Iran

PHILADELPHIA — On Wednesday, Sept. 4, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers removed a German man who recently concluded a 24-month federal prison term for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and United States sanctions against Iran.

On Nov. 20, 2017, Olaf Tepper, 51, entered the United States lawfully in New York using a nonimmigrant visa.  

On Nov. 21, 2017, Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested him in Saratoga Springs, New York, and charged him with violating the IEEPA.

On Aug. 3, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York (NDNY) convicted Tepper of conspiracy to violate IEEPA and United States sanctions against Iran. He conspired to export United States-origin gas turbine parts to Iran without obtaining a license or authorization.

On July 16, 2019, ERO Philadelphia officers issued Tepper a Notice to Appear, charging removability pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as an alien who failed to maintain the nonimmigrant status in which the alien was admitted; and as an alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years of admission for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed.

On Aug. 12, 2019, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States to Germany.

ERO officers removed Tepper from the United States and handed him over to German officials without incident.

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