LOS ANGELES
Federal grand juries in Los Angeles and Milwaukee have indicted two foreign nationals—Cui Guanghai, 43, of China, and John Miller, 63, a U.K. citizen and U.S. permanent resident—on charges including interstate stalking, conspiracy, arms smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act, the Justice Department announced Friday.
“These men allegedly targeted a U.S. resident for exercising free speech and conspired to smuggle sensitive military tech to China,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “It’s an attack on our national security and democratic values.”
According to the indictments:
Los Angeles (Central District of California)
Beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller recruited U.S.-based individuals (secretly working with the FBI) to harass a dissident who planned to protest Chinese President Xi at the APEC summit. The suspects directed surveillance, vandalized the victim’s car, and destroyed statues the victim had created of Xi and his wife.
In spring 2025, they tried to block the online release of new protest art by paying $36,500 to two more FBI-affiliated individuals.
Milwaukee (Eastern District of Wisconsin)
Starting in November 2023, Cui and Miller also sought to illegally export U.S. defense technology—including missiles, drones, and encryption devices—to China. They discussed smuggling a cryptographic device hidden in consumer goods via Hong Kong and paid $10,000 in deposits through U.S. channels.
If convicted, they face up to:
- 5 years for conspiracy
- 5 years for interstate stalking
- 10 years for smuggling
- 20 years for violating the Arms Export Control Act
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.