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20-Year Fugitive Sentenced In Conspiracy To Sell Military Materials To Iran Back In 2003

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A dual citizen of the U.S. and Taiwan has been sentenced in in connection with a conspiracy to export defense materials to Iran, 20 years after fleeing to Taiwan.
“As this case demonstrates, federal prosecutors have long memories. If you choose to flee rather than face your federal charges, you will be found and prosecuted,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron said in a statement
En-Wei Eric Chang, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett this week to two years in federal prison followed by six months of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
According to Chang’s plea agreement, from January 2002 to March 2003, Chang conspired with David Chu to ship items on the Munitions List to Iran without obtaining the proper licensing.
The Munitions List incudes arms, munitions, military aircraft parts, and related components and technology subject to export and import restrictions. At the time of Chang’s offense, it was U.S. policy to deny licenses and exports of defense articles to Iran.
Chu, who had a business relationship with an Iranian, became acquainted with Chang, an electrical component supplier, in 2001. In 2002, Chu, on behalf of the Iranian businessman, asked Chang to research satellite imagery dealers, and Chang agreed. He emailed a Maryland company to acquire high-definition satellite images of Tehran, Iran, for export to Iran.
But an undercover agent responded to Chang’s request, and they communicated for several months about the satellite images order. After another request from Chu on behalf of the Iranian businessman, Chang asked the undercover agent for quotes on cavity-backed spiral antennas with military applications, including the detection and surveillance of ground-based radar. Such antennas were included on the Munitions List.
The undercover agent quoted prices for Chang, but said the manufacturer “wont even accept order without approved export license up front.”
Chang wrote that The Iran guy promises [my co-conspirator, Chu] a 10 million USD business [per] year if we can really do this. The agent provide Chang with banking information, which was passed along to Chu to facilitate a $6,400 down payment.
While the antennas were being produced, Chang continued contacting the undercover agent for pricing on other items, including an anti-submarine and surveillance radar system for installation on helicopters and airplanes; military-grade night-vision goggles for use by pilots; helicopters and helicopter engines; ten handheld laser range-finders; and other military items.
When the antennas were completed in early 2003, Chang and Chu told the agent to transfer them in Guam, where Chu would pick them up. Chu traveled to Guam in February and took possession of the antennas from the undercover agent, and was arrested before he could board his flight to Taiwan.
In March 2003, the undercover agent contacted Chang and revealed his true identity, informing him that he had been indicted in the conspiracy, and that Chu was in the custody of U.S. Marshals. Chang, who was in Taiwan, met with U.S. officials there, but declined to surrender.
Chang remained a fugitive for 20 years, until his arrest on April 10, 2023, at Rome-Fiumcino International Airport in Italy. He was then extradited to the U.S.
Chu was sentenced on Feb. 23, 2004, to two years in federal prison.
TMX contributed to this article.
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