Oregon man charged with attempting to illegally export military-grade rifle scopes

SEATTLE – An Oregon man was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for allegedly attempting to sell military-grade rifle scopes overseas in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.

Geoffrey B. Roose, 27, of Corvallis, Ore., came to the attention of ICE HSI after he listed several restricted, military-grade rifle scopes for sale on eBay. Roose will make his initial federal court appearance in Eugene, Ore.

According to court documents, ICE HSI agents received a lead that Roose was selling export-restricted rifle scopes to individuals overseas without the required export license. Investigators then sent Roose an email via the eBay site, advising him that the rifle scopes he was advertising were restricted for export. Roose emailed back, "Thanks." Despite the warning, Roose continued to offer the restricted items for sale on eBay with no limitation on where they could be exported.

Acting undercover, HSI agents purchased one of the rifle scopes at Roose's asking price of $1699.99 and requested it be shipped to an address in Europe. Roose shipped the scope — which he described on customs paperwork as being a "telescope w/Mount" valued at $150. The scope was seized by law enforcement authorities before it left the United States.

A court authorized search of Roose's email account revealed he had previously taken steps to conceal the shipment of a rifle scope to a customer overseas because the scope was restricted for export.

Attempted violations of the Arms Export Control Act are punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.