Owner of Schaumburg business pleads guilty to illegal export

The former owner of a Schaumburg-based export company pleaded guilty Thursday to illegally shipping restricted items to Pakistan in 2009.

Bilal Ahmed, 34, of Bolingbrook, admitted that the carbon fiber material he sent to Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission was going to be used to make bulletproof vests.

The exporting of such material is restricted by U.S. "dual use" laws that require special licenses. In pleading guilty, Ahmed admitted he knew the material was subject to special regulations. He also admitted to shipping other restricted items in 2013. He was caught attempting to ship a thermal imaging camera, which is on the Commerce Department's list of controlled export goods "for reasons of national security and regional stability," according to court records.

He faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years at his sentencing next year, but prosecutors are recommending a six-year sentence.