Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Russian Woman Arrested For Smuggling Night Vision Scopes
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 28, 2010
Modified Jul 28, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 7
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 28, 2010
Modified Jul 28, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Forget this being the summer of sharks—it's the summer of Russians behaving badly! First, it was a cadre of "deep cover spies," including a NYC party girl. Now it's a cosmetology student who was trying to smuggle night vision scopes back to Mother Russia. Anna Fermanova, who lives in Texas now, was stopped at JFK Airport back in March because, according to the Smoking Gun, "The weapons sights cannot be exported without approval from the Department of State since the items are considered munitions covered by the Arms Export Control Act."
Fermanova was arrested earlier this month, after she returned from her overseas trip. Apparently she was being investigated back in February, as she was looking for a Raptor 4X Night Vision Weapons Sight, which the feds say is "designed to be affixed to a rifle, such as the M4 assault rifle." Plus, the serial numbers and other ID numbers were blacked out on the sight and other night vision items she had her bags. However, her lawyer claims she was going to sell the scopes to big game hunters—hey, aren't humans the big game?—and tells the Daily News that it "looks a lot worse than it really is... She's a nice Jewish girl who lives with her sweet Latvian parents. There's no terrorism link. There's no espionage."
Fermanova is currently at her parents' home in Texas; she's due in Brooklyn Federal Court later this summer. She told the Post, "I am a US citizen. I grew up in America. I am not a spy -- that is just funny. I am freaking out right now." The Smoking Gun notes inevitable comparisons to Anna Chapman, "As seen here, like the 28-year-old Chapman, Fermanova's Facebook page is stocked with photos likely to make her a tabloid favorite." Or, as Gawker put it, "According to her booking papers, Anna is 5'6" and has a belly ring. According to Facebook, she likes slutty Halloween costumes and pointing at the camera when she's drunk."
Tagged
Anna Fermanova
goggle
Latvia
night vision scope
russian
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani extends NYC racial equity leader's term after Council pushes back on replacement
Linda Tigani, the current chair of the Commission on Racial Equity, is expected to stay on in the role through July 2027.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 4:31 p.m. ET
Woman charged with federal hate crimes after allegedly stabbing 2 Jewish men in NYC
Anna Mochalova is accused of using a needle-like object to stab two men near the Diamond District earlier this month.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Woman charged with federal hate crimes after allegedly stabbing 2 Jewish men in NYC
Anna Mochalova is accused of using a needle-like object to stab two men near the Diamond District earlier this month.
By
Giulia Heyward
Ex-NYPD sergeant sentenced to 4-12 years in deadly drunken Taconic crash
By
Charles Lane
After being booed at integration forum, NYC chancellor praised by school parent leaders
By
Jessica Gould
Lithium-ion battery caused Bronx fire that killed 11-year-old, FDNY says
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .