HONG KONG CITIZEN EXTRADITED TO MASSACHUSETTS TO FACE CHARGES OF CONSPIRING AND ATTEMPTING TO ILLEGALLY EXPORT MILITARY PARTS FROM THE UNITED STATES
BOSTON, MA - An Indictment was unsealed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston, charging a Hong Kong citizen with conspiring to, and attempting to, illegally export defense articles designated on the United States Munitions List in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Bruce Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Boston Field Office, John McKenna, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office and Edward Bradley, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, announced today that HOK SHEK CHAN a/k/a JOHN CHAN, 57, of Hong Kong, was charged in an Indictment with conspiring with two Malyasian nationals, WONG FOOK LOY a/k/a AARON WONG and NGO TEK CHAI a/k/a T.C. NGO and others to knowingly and willfully export and cause the export of 10 indicators servo driven tachometers used in C-130 military flight simulators from the United States without a required license or written authorization from the Department of State. The Indictment further charges CHAN a/k/a JOHN CHAN, WONG FOOK LOY a/k/a AARON WONG, and NGO TEK CHAI a/k/a T.C. NGO with attempting to illegally export and causing the illegal export of the military flight indicators from the United States in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
“The alleged charges are serious and as a result of the exceptional coordination between federal and international authorities, Mr. Chan has been returned to the U.S. to face them,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.
“Protecting national security is our top priority,” said John McKenna, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office. “This action is a clear signal that federal law enforcement agencies continue to work together diligently to prevent U.S. technology from falling into the wrong hands,” he concluded.
“Mr. Chan’s extradition to the United States showcases the diligent work conducted by ICE and its domestic and international law enforcement partners in safeguarding sensitive military technology,” said Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Investigations in Boston. “Export violations involving military components are a serious threat to our national security and a top ICE priority.”
“The illegal export of U.S. military technology and weapons is one of the most significant and growing threats to our national security,” said Ed Bradley, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office. “The indictment and extradition of Mr. Chan are the direct result of the significant investigative efforts of the agents of DCIS, ICE and Commerce,” Bradley said.
If convicted on these charges, HOK SHEK CHAN a/k/a JOHN CHAN faces up to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $1million fine.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys B. Stephanie Siegmann and Jeffrey Auerhahn of Ortiz's Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit.
The details contained in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
