LOS ANGELES
A Chinese national who overstayed his U.S. student visa was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for exporting firearms, ammunition, and sensitive technology to North Korea at the direction of its government, officials stated.
The Defendant
Shenghua Wen, 42, of Ontario, entered the U.S. in 2012 on a student visa and remained in the country illegally after it expired in 2013.
Before arriving in the U.S., Wen met with North Korean officials in China and later received about $2 million from them to purchase and ship weapons and technology, officials stated.
The Scheme, according to officials.
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In 2022, North Korean operatives instructed Wen to buy and smuggle firearms, ammo, and military tech from the U.S. to North Korea via China.
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In 2023, Wen shipped at least three containers of firearms from the Port of Long Beach, falsifying export documents. One shipment disguised as a “refrigerator” reached North Korea by January 2024.
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He bought a firearms business in Houston with North Korean funds, purchased weapons in Texas, and drove them to California for export.
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He attempted to ship 60,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition in 2024.
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Items procured included a chemical threat ID device, a broadband receiver, and attempts to acquire a civilian aircraft engine and thermal imaging system.
Conviction & Sentencing
Wen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He admitted knowing the exports were illegal and never sought the required licenses or notified the U.S. Attorney General.
Investigation
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, DCIS, and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security investigated.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Gerdes and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal.