Iranian-American Pleads Guilty to Human Smuggling and Child Exploitation

Federal authorities reported that an Iranian-born American residing in New York entered a guilty plea on Tuesday. Sharon Gohari admitted to running a human smuggling operation that not only facilitated the entry of foreign nationals into the United States but also involved troubling offenses related to child sexual exploitation.

Gohari, who lived in Nassau County and made frequent trips to Iran, pled guilty in federal court in Brooklyn. This marked the culmination of a lengthy scheme that raised significant national security concerns and involved serious exploitation. Prosecutors revealed that from late 2020 until his arrest in May 2025, Gohari facilitated the transfer of thousands of individuals, including Iranian nationals, into the U.S. He guided their journey through Turkey and Mexico, even assisting with visa arrangements via Mexico’s embassy in Iran, ultimately leading to illegal crossings at the southern border.

At least one individual he assisted had connections to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), labeled a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. This person was later detained and confirmed he had worked for the Revolutionary Guards abroad.

John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, noted, “This case underscores the fact that secure borders are essential for protecting our national security.” He pointed out that Gohari was deeply involved in smuggling operations that included individuals affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocera Jr. emphasized that the defendants had taken advantage of vulnerable populations for profit. “By helping people circumvent our vetting system, we are jeopardizing our national security,” he stated.

The situation escalated when federal agents examined Gohari’s devices. Authorities uncovered unsettling videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including some believed to be as young as five. They also found numerous photographs and recordings of women who appeared to be secretly filmed in public spaces throughout New York City.

FBI Counterterrorism Division Deputy Director Donald Halstead mentioned, “The defendants have acknowledged their roles in facilitating the illegal entry of individuals, including members of Iran’s IRGC. This endangers our national security.” Some of the recorded material seemed to be obtained in a manner intended to capture inappropriate images, and Gohari had allegedly shared this content with accounts overseas, including Iranian contacts, as part of a child sexual abuse material exchange.

James Barnacle Jr., deputy director of the FBI’s New York field office, remarked, “Sharon Gohari threatened our nation’s security by promoting illegal entry into the United States.” He added that this case highlights ongoing efforts to target criminals exploiting America’s borders.

Investigations into this incident involved the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and various federal, state, and local agencies. Gohari now faces a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years for child exploitation, alongside a potential 10-year sentence for the smuggling charge.