LOS ANGELES – In a chilling case of international arms trafficking, Chinese national Shenghua Wen, 42, of Ontario, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for conspiring to export firearms and military items to North Korea. The clandestine operation was orchestrated at the behest of North Korean officials, who funneled approximately $2 million into Wen’s hands.
Wen, an illegal alien since 2013, pleaded guilty on June 9th to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and acting as an agent for a foreign government without notification to the U.S. Attorney General.
The scheme began with Wen meeting North Korean officials in China before entering the United States on a student visa. He was directed to acquire goods for North Korea, which he did by purchasing firearms and sensitive technology within the U.S. and shipping them via Long Beach and Hong Kong to Nampo, North Korea.
In 2023, Wen bought a Houston-based firearms business, using funds from his North Korean contacts, to facilitate more shipments. In December of that year, one such shipment was falsely declared as containing a refrigerator but actually held weaponry bound for the DPRK.
Wen also secured 60,000 rounds of ammunition and technology capable of detecting chemical threats and intercepting communications. His plea agreement admitted full knowledge of his illegal activities, including the lack of necessary export licenses.
This sentence comes as a result of a joint investigation by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DCIS, ATF, and the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security.
Related Federal Cases
- Compton Man Luis Rodriguez Jr. Gets 10+ Years for Guns, Meth Sales · Texas
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- Crypto Dreams & COVID Cash: Rideshare Driver Accused of $2M Scam · California
- Sacramento Con Man Gets 4+ Years for $1.1M Tax Heist · California
- Hand Sanitizer Scam: $2.4M Grab Lands Colorado Man in Court · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
