Briton in missiles-to-Iran case to enter new plea

AP: A federal judge has scheduled a new plea hearing for a British man accused of trying to buy missile parts from undercover U.S. agents and illegally sell them to Iran.

The Associated Press

By By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has scheduled a new plea hearing for a British man accused of trying to buy missile parts from undercover U.S. agents and illegally sell them to Iran.

Christopher Tappin had pleaded not guilty after his extradition from the United Kingdom in February. He was released on a $1 million bond in April and was scheduled for trial Nov. 5.

U.S. District Judge David Briones issued an order last week scheduling a re-arraignment for Thursday of the 65-year-old in Texas. Tappin’s lawyer declined to comment on details of the plea hearing.

Tappin is accused of giving the undercover agents false documents to circumvent the requirement for defense articles to be licensed prior to being exported.

Two other men indicted in the scheme have already been sentenced to prison.