Shenghua Wen, a 41-year-old Chinese national living illegally in Ontario, California, has been accused of shipping guns, ammunition, and military items to North Korea in violation of U.S. sanctions and federal law. He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which prohibits doing business with sanctioned countries or individuals.
Wen allegedly shipped containers of guns and ammunition from Long Beach through Hong Kong to North Korea. Law enforcement searched his home and seized devices intended for military use in North Korea. Messages on his phone revealed conversations about shipping military-grade equipment to North Korea, along with photographs of firearms.
Wen overstayed his student visa in the U.S. and is banned from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. He also lacks the required licenses to export such items to North Korea. If convicted, Wen faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Authorities are investigating Wen’s involvement in smuggling items from Long Beach to Hong Kong for North Korea, including negotiations for a civilian plane engine. It is unclear if Wen has legal representation at this time.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com