Guardsman Charged Over Attempted Radio Export to Russia

Canyon Anthony Amarys, 28, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, a Kansas National Guard member, was arrested Oct. 28 and indicted in the District of Kansas for attempting to violate the Export Control Reform Act after prosecutors say he plotted to assist what he believed was Russian intelligence. Prosecutors allege Amarys met in February at an Overland Park motel with an undercover agent, signed a one‑page agreement confirming a covert relationship, and agreed to photograph a Fort Riley Army installation and procure a helicopter radio for use by the Russian military. According to the indictment, the undercover agent paid him thousands, Amarys purchased a Garmin GTR‑205 radio in March, photographed what he believed were sensitive military technologies (recorded by investigators), and attempted to mail the radio to a Romanian address intended as a cover for diversion to Russia before agents intercepted and seized the parcel. Court records and recorded conversations reportedly show Amarys acknowledged researching export rules and understanding the radio would be illegally diverted. The FBI’s Kansas City field office is leading the probe with assistance from Army Counterintelligence, the Commerce Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Amarys made his initial federal court appearance in the District of Kansas and faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $1 million fine if convicted.