Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Man faces federal weapons charges
MADISON — Was an international arms accessories buyer from Indonesia operating in the Monroe County village of Norwalk last week?
According to an affidavit filed Friday in federal court, Doli Syarief Pulungan is charged with lying to FBI Special Agent David Paul, who was investigating whether Pulungan was trying to purchase 100 tactical scopes for
M-16 rifles without an export license.
Pulungan is accused of approaching Norwalk-Wilton Police Chief Steve Kaczik on Sept. 26, saying he wanted to buy 100 rifle scopes for $1,000 each, about $300 above list price, and then ship them overseas.
Kaczik called the La Crosse FBI office, and Paul interviewed Pulungan at a house along Nevada Road in Cashton, Wis., where Pulungan said he was staying while visiting the U.S.
According to the affidavit, Pulungan admitted to trying to purchase 100 tactical scopes and knew how to get them from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, where he could re-sell them at a profit. The affidavit also says Pulungan admitted he didn’t have a special export license the government requires to ship defense equipment overseas.
Pulungan, who is listed as 53 years old on a current Indonesian passport and visa, is accused of telling Paul that he had only visited Indonesia and the U.S. After Pulungan consented to a search of his luggage, Paul said he found an expired passport, which listed him as 57 years old, and showed he had traveled to Pakistan, Holland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Denmark.
The export violation investigation remains open, a U.S. State Department official said.
Pulungan’s attorney, Michael Lieberman, a federal defender, said he had just received the case and spoken with his client, but he didn’t know what his defense would be.
“I’m going to wait until he’s indicted and go from there,” said Lieberman.
Pulungan’s case will be presented to the grand jury today. He is in temporary custody and made an initial appearance before a magistrate on Monday.
Efforts to reach Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin, who has been assigned to the case, were unsuccessful Tuesday.
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