Two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai of China and John Miller of the United Kingdom, have been indicted on multiple charges by federal grand juries in Los Angeles and Milwaukee. These charges include conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and violations of the Arms Export Control Act. As reported by the U.S. Department of Justice, the scenarios involve a targeted U.S. dissident and attempts to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China.
"The defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated. Authorities have detailed accusations of planning and attempts to harass and silence a U.S. dissident critical of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and efforts to illicitly procure and export U.S. defense articles. The victim, who had exercised their right to openly criticize policies and actions of the PRC and its president, was supposedly to be subdued and prevented from protesting President Xi's appearance at an international summit. Scheming begins to unravel when the individuals they recruited turn out to be associated with the FBI.
In Los Angeles, the indictment details how Cui and Miller enlisted individuals to surveil the victim, sabotage their property, and endeavor to prevent the display of protest art. "The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America," FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said. In Milwaukee, the pair are charged with soliciting components like missiles and cryptographic devices from individuals for unlawful export to China. The reported covert communications and financial transactions placed a spotlight on the significant lengths to which the accused went to ostensibly secure these defense articles.
The case continues to unfold as the U.S. coordinates with Serbian authorities regarding the pending extraditions of Cui and Miller from Serbia. If convicted, they face maximum penalties that include 20 years for violation of the Arms Export Control Act and up to 10 years for smuggling. The stark implications of this case were summed up by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California when he asserted, "My office will continue to use all legal methods available to hold accountable foreign nationals engaging in criminal activity on our soil." As Assistant United States Attorneys and the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section proceed with the prosecution, the international drama highlights the hidden and ongoing threats to national security and free speech. More information on this case is available via the DOJ Public Information Officer Ciaran McEvoy's release.
