Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Send U.S. Military Equipment to China via Mexico

A Chinese citizen has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court in Utah to charges related to attempting to illegally purchase U.S. military-grade equipment for export to China. Dingwei Chen, 29, admitted to trying to acquire military modems and satellite radios manufactured by American companies through the black market.

The specific communication equipment Chen sought is classified as defense-controlled items, which require a license from the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls for legal export. U.S. prosecutors noted that such licenses are typically not issued for military goods destined for China.

Court documents reveal that Chen collaborated with individuals in China to procure the sensitive communication systems. They explored various methods for smuggling the equipment, initially considering transit through Switzerland, then contemplating pickup in the Mariana Islands, and finally settling on a plan to contraband it through Mexico.

After an initial payment exceeding $40,000, Chen and his associates opted to use cryptocurrency in an attempt to obscure their identities. Chen indicated that this was merely an initial transaction and that he had access to funds for acquiring tens of millions of dollars worth of additional military equipment. Spiros Karabinas, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, highlighted the serious consequences for those who illegally attempt to acquire or export sensitive U.S. military technology.

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The guilty plea highlights the severe consequences for those who attempt to illegally acquire, export, or transfer sensitive U.S. military equipment or technology.