WASHINGTON (CHATNEWSTV) — Federal grand juries in California and Wisconsin have indicted two foreign nationals for allegedly targeting a U.S.-based dissident critical of China’s leadership and conspiring to smuggle sensitive American military technology to the Chinese government, the Justice Department announced Friday.
The defendants, Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, a British national and U.S. lawful permanent resident, face charges of interstate stalking, arms export violations, conspiracy, and smuggling in connection with two separate schemes authorities say threatened national security and free speech on U.S. soil.
“As alleged, 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,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values.”
According to court documents, the pair allegedly directed a campaign of harassment and sabotage against a dissident artist who publicly criticized the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping. Beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller allegedly recruited individuals — who were in fact working with the FBI — to install a tracking device on the victim’s vehicle, slash the tires on his car, and destroy sculptures he had made depicting Xi and his wife.
“The indictment alleges that Chinese foreign actors targeted a victim in our nation because he criticized the Chinese government and its president,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “My office will continue to use all legal methods available to hold accountable foreign nationals engaging in criminal activity on our soil.”
A second plot, detailed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin indictment, accuses Cui and Miller of attempting to illegally procure and export U.S. defense articles — including missile systems, drone technology, cryptographic devices, and radar — to China. Prosecutors said the defendants explored using household electronics, such as blenders and motor starters, to disguise and smuggle equipment abroad.
The conspirators allegedly wired a $10,000 deposit to a U.S. bank account and discussed routes to get the military-grade equipment to China via Hong Kong.
“These defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China… while also trying to obtain and export sensitive U.S. military technology,” said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. “I want to commend the good work of the FBI and our partners in the U.S. and overseas in putting a stop to these illegal activities.”
Both men were arrested in Serbia, and U.S. officials are working with Serbian authorities to secure their extradition.
If convicted, Cui and Miller face up to five years for conspiracy, five years for interstate stalking, 20 years for violating the Arms Export Control Act, and 10 years for smuggling.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Office of International Affairs, and multiple U.S. Attorney’s offices.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
