Tao Li, 39, received his sentence from United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa last Wednesday (Oct. 16) in Phoenix, Arizona. Earlier, Li had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Li was arrested in September 2018 at Los Angeles International Airport, as Li attempted to travel from China to Arizona to meet with one of the undercover agents.
“This case is one of many involving illegal attempts to take U.S. technology to China. Li attempted to procure highly sensitive U.S. military technology in violation of our export control laws. Such laws are in place to protect our national security, and the Department of Justice will continue to vigorously enforce them,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers. “We don’t take these crimes lightly and we will continue to pursue them.”
Between December 2016 and January 2018, Li worked with other individuals in China to purchase radiation-hardened power amplifiers and supervisory circuits and illegally export them from the US to China.
of Arizona, Phoenix, with assistance from Scott Claffee, Trial Attorney, Department of Justice National Security Division.
“This case is one of many involving illegal attempts to take U.S. technology to China. Li attempted to procure highly sensitive U.S. military technology in violation of our export control laws. Such laws are in place to protect our national security, and the Department of Justice will continue to vigorously enforce them,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers. “We don’t take these crimes lightly and we will continue to pursue them.”
Between December 2016 and January 2018, Li worked with other individuals in China to purchase radiation-hardened power amplifiers and supervisory circuits and illegally export them from the US to China.
The electronic components sought by Li are capable of withstanding significant levels of radiation and extreme heat, and as a result, are primarily used for military and space applications.
Due to the technological capabilities of the electronic components sought by Li and the significant contribution that the components could make to a foreign country’s military and space programs, both parts required an export license from the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, prior to being sent out of the the country. Notwithstanding the licensing requirement, the Department of Commerce has a policy forbidding the export these types of electronic components to the PRC.
Between December 2016 and January 2018, Li used multiple aliases to contact individuals in the US, including representatives of US-based private companies, to try to obtain the electronic components.
Between December 2016 and January 2018, Li used multiple aliases to contact individuals in the US, including representatives of US-based private companies, to try to obtain the electronic components.
Additionally, Li and his coconspirators agreed to pay a “risk fee” to illegally export the electronic components to China.
Li's arrest and conviction is part of the US government crackdown on the theft of intellectual property and technology by China.
“This sentence is well deserved and further demonstrates the lengths of criminal activity by those who seek to engage in illegally obtaining sophisticated materials,” said Scott Brown, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix. “One of HSI’s top priorities is preventing U.S. military products and sensitive technology from falling into the hands of those who might seek to harm America or its interests."
________________________________________________________________
of Arizona, Phoenix, with assistance from Scott Claffee, Trial Attorney, Department of Justice National Security Division.
No comments:
Post a Comment