In a recent development, the owner of a North Carolina company has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to sell electronic devices with military applications to China without the necessary U.S. government license. The individual, identified as a 63-year-old man, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle in Raleigh.
The defendant, who owns Raleigh-based Components Cooper Inc., was charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act and other federal regulations. Court records indicate that he could potentially face up to 20 years in prison for his actions.
The case revolves around the purchase of 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronic company by the defendant. These accelerometers, which are used to measure vibration, tilt, and acceleration in structures, have applications in aerospace and military technology, including enhancing missile accuracy and assessing munitions effects.
Upon attempting to export the accelerometers to a Chinese company, the defendant falsely undervalued the package's contents at $100, despite their actual value being close to $20,000. Law enforcement was alerted by the electronics company, leading to federal agents intercepting the shipment before it reached its intended destination in China.
The defendant admitted to acquiring the technology on behalf of the Chinese company while being fully aware of the export restrictions in place. This illegal scheme was thwarted by authorities, ensuring that sensitive technology like accelerometers does not fall into unauthorized hands or be misused for adversarial purposes.
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing in mid-May, as per court records. The case serves as a reminder of the stringent regulations governing the export of sensitive technologies and the severe consequences for violating these laws.
