Oahu man pleads guilty to transferring money from the U.S. to Iran without a license

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Oahu man pled guilty on Monday in federal court to transferring funds from the United States to Iran without a license, in violation of U.S. sanctions.

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United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced on Wednesday that Arash Einolghozati, 37, of Waialua, Oahu, pled guilty, and his sentencing has been set for October 29, 2026.

According to court records, beginning as early as March 2017 and continuing until at least April 2022, Einolghozati engaged in multiple money transfers intended to move money from the United States to Iran.

Einolghozati sent both government-issued currency and cryptocurrency from within the United States to recipients that he knew were in Iran or to recipients who would further transfer the funds to individuals in Iran.

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In each case, Einolghozati knew it was unlawful to send the funds without a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, but did so anyway.

As described in the plea agreement, Einolghozati transferred more than $150,000 to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Einolghozati faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a period of supervised release of up to three years.

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The FBI investigated the case.