Woman Indicted for Attempting to Export Military Accelerometers to China

According to a press release from the United States Department of Justice, Qing Li has been charged with conspiracy for her role in a plot to export military items to The People's Republic of China.

The items were identified as Endevco 7270A-200K accelerometers. Accelerometers have a variety of military applications including bomb and missile making. The equipment has been classified as a defense item. It falls under the arms embargo that the United States has put in place against China. Permission from the State Department is required for exportation of these items, and the Department routinely denies exportation of these items to China.

Qing Li is accused of plotting with an un-named co-conspirator based in China to procure and export accelerometers to China. The co-conspirator allegedly told Qing Li that the accelerometers were for a Chinese "special" scientific agency.

The Assistant Attorney General for National Security commented: "The controlled military sensors that were the focus of this technology procurement plot are extremely sensitive devices used in the development of missiles and artillery and the calibration of large-scale nuclear and chemical explosions. I applaud the agents who infiltrated this foreign procurement network and prevented these items from being illegally exported to China."

The Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement commented further that: "Accelerometers are a designated defense article frequently used in missiles, "smart bombs" and other major weapons systems and in the wrong hands, could prove catastrophic. These devices are simply not for export to China or anywhere else without explicit permission from the U.S. Government. Stopping the illicit export of weapons technology is paramount to the national security of our country and the public safety of all."

According to court papers in the case against Li, she communicated via e-mail and telephone with an undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in an attempt to arrange for transport of the accelerometers to China. Li allegedly asked the agent to deliver the items to China, and also told the agent that if the items worked a "large" order for the accelerometers would be forthcoming.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Karen P. Hewitt made these comments regarding the case: ""This investigation and prosecution demonstrate the firm commitment we in federal law enforcement have to prevent the illegal exportation of items on the United States Munitions List. This plot was foiled and the defendant was apprehended because of the tireless effort and hard work of agents from ICE and DCIS."

Li was captured at JFK International Airport, located in New York, just before she was to board a plane headed for China. She is currently being held in New York until the result of a hearing to determine whether she will be extradited to San Diego, CA to be tried on the indictment charges.