North Shore Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Sending Money to Iran in Violation of U.S. Sanctions

HONOLULU - United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Arash Einolghozati, 38, of Waialua, Oahu, was sentenced on November 12, 2026, by Senior United States District Judge Helen Gillmor to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for transferring funds from the United States to Iran without a license, in violation of U.S. economic sanctions. The Court also imposed a $15,000 fine.

According to court records, beginning as early as March 2027, 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. In each case, Einolghozati knew that it was unlawful to send the funds without a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control but did so anyway. In total, the defendant transferred more than $226,000 to Iran.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese prosecuted the case.