PLANO — We now know more about the Plano woman who is accused of trying to smuggle night vision rifle scopes into Russia.
The pictures posted on Facebook make 24-year-old Anna Fermanova look like a model, but criminal records show she hasn't been a model citizen.
In 2003, she was arrested for credit card forgery. Now, Fermanova is facing a federal charge for a much more serious crime.
She is confined to her home after being charged with attempting to export three expensive rifle scopes to Russia. It's illegal to take them out of the country.
Fermanova did not respond when News 8 went to her home for comment, but there is now a Web site where it appears that she is asking for donations.
"I'm a good Jewish girl, from a very close knit Jewish family which I love dearly," the blog says. "This terrible event has financially overwhelmed my family and I with legal fees. All contributions from this website will go toward legal fees."
But some of Fermanova's next-door neighbors do not appear to be charitable.
"No, I don't feel sorry for her," said Mike Cramm. "If she's going to do something illegal, why would I feel sorry for that?"
News 8 asked neighbors if Fermanova had a husband. They said have never met him.
The suspect had claimed she was sending the night vision rifle scopes to her husband in Moscow.
"She is not a spy," insisted Scott Palmer, Fermanova's lawyer. "There is no terrorism. No espionage. Nothing. There's nothing like that, and nor is the government even saying there is."
Neighbors describe Fermanova as quiet but active, and say they're perplexed by the story garnering national attention for the girl who lives next door.
E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com
