Comely, Bikini-Loving Smuggler Of Night Vision Scopes Escapes With Brief Prison Term

The Russian expat convicted of trying to smuggle night vision scopes to Moscow was sentenced this morning to four months in prison to be followed by four months home confinement.

Based on federal guidelines, Anna Fermanova, 25, faced a sentencing range of between 46 and 57 months. Instead, Judge Carol Amon opted for a significant downward departure, apparently agreeing with arguments from Fermanova’s lawyer that the smuggling bid was not part of a nefarious plot.

Additionally, citing Fermanova’s cooperation with federal agents, prosecutors filed a letter supporting a sentence below the guideline range. 

According to Scott Palmer, Fermanova’s lawyer, his client was attempting to deliver the scopes to her father-in-law, who works as “Target Master” at a Moscow country club whose wealthy members hunt bears, wild boar, and other large animals. In turn, the man planned to sell the high-tech scopes to club members.

Pictured above, Fermanova pleaded guilty in January to a single felony count of violating the Arms Export Control Act. Palmer argued that the scopes--which were discovered hidden inside Uggs boots in Fermanova’s luggage--did not amount to a threat against U.S. national security interests.

Fermanova, who lives with her family in Texas, is scheduled to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on December 5. According to a recent court filing, she has been studying to “obtain a university degree in mass communications/public relations.”