{"id":2583846,"date":"2026-03-25T19:47:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-us-citizens-charged-with-conspiring-to-smuggle-ai-chips-to-china\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:53:12","slug":"two-us-citizens-charged-with-conspiring-to-smuggle-ai-chips-to-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-us-citizens-charged-with-conspiring-to-smuggle-ai-chips-to-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Two US citizens charged with conspiring to smuggle AI chips to China"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftwo-us-citizens-charged-with-conspiring-to-smuggle-ai-chips-to-china%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583846&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Two U.S. citizens, Stanley Yi zheng and Matthew Kelly, and Chinese national Tommy Shad English were charged by teh Department of Justice with conspiring to smuggle artificial intelligence technology to China. Prosecutors allege they sought millions of dollars\u2019 worth of export-controlled AI computer chips and used front companies and false documentation to disguise shipments as going to legitimate third countries, ultimately concealing that the end user was China. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >scheme involved misrepresenting export information<\/a> and structuring transactions to avoid licensing requirements, with shipments routed through intermediaries and through Thailand. If convicted, the defendants could face meaningful prison terms and penalties under the Export Control Reform Act and related smuggling statutes.DOJ and FBI officials stressed the importance of protecting American innovation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/huaweis-chip-breakthrough-incredibly-disturbing-commerce-secretary-raimondo\/\" title=\"Commerce Secretary Raimondo finds Huawei&#039;s chip breakthrough &quot;highly concerning.&quot;\">enforcing export controls<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-slam-psakis-space-force-slight\/\" title=\"Republicans Slam Psaki\u2019s Space Force Slight\">safeguard national security<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DOJ charges two US citizens with conspiring to smuggle AI technology to China<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2543330\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"438\">Department of Justice<\/a> on Wednesday said two U.S. citizens and one Chinese national were charged with conspiring to commit smuggling after they illegally attempted to export cutting-edge <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/artificial-intelligence\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1658\">artificial intelligence<\/a> technology to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"232\">China<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>According to a Justice Department <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/chinese-national-and-two-us-citizens-charged-conspiring-smuggle-artificial-intelligence\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/chinese-national-and-two-us-citizens-charged-conspiring-smuggle-artificial-intelligence\">press release<\/a>, Stanley Yi Zheng, Matthew Kelly, and Tommy Shad English are accused of conspiring to smuggle restricted AI-related technology from the United States to China without obtaining required export licenses.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4503360\/la-jury-finds-meta-and-youtube-liable-social-media-addiction\/\">Jury finds Meta and YouTube liable in landmark social media addiction case<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4502970\/doj-inquiry-former-cia-director-john-brennan-classified-transcripts\/\">DOJ inquiry into John Brennan intensifies after House sends classified transcripts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4502868\/raskin-allege-trump-classified-document-private-plane\/\">Jamie Raskin alleges Trump took classified documents on private plane and showed them off<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The three defendants are alleged to have sought millions of dollars&rsquo; worth of export-controlled <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chips\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"6464\">computer chips<\/a> for shipment to China through <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thailand\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3184\">Thailand<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege the AI chips the accused attempted to smuggle are advanced U.S. technology and have military and strategic applications, making their unauthorized transfer a violation of U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-judge-ends-probation-for-chinas-zte-telecom-giant\/\" title=\"U.S. Judge Ends Probation for ...\u2019s ZTE Telecom Giant\">export control laws<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The cutting-edge AI chips the defendants allegedly schemed to export to China represent the best of American ingenuity and years of strategic investment in maintaining our technological leadership,&rdquo; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said.<\/p>\n<p>Federal authorities allege the scheme involved coordinating shipments of controlled technology through a network of front companies and false documentation to disguise the equipment&rsquo;s true destination. The two U.S. citizens are accused of purchasing the restricted technology domestically and arranging for its transfer, while concealing that the end user was based in China.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To avoid scrutiny, the defendants allegedly misrepresented export information, including the identity of the ultimate recipient, and routed shipments through intermediaries. Authorities said the conspirators took steps to make it appear as though the technology was being sent to legitimate businesses in third countries, when in reality it was intended for China.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In some instances, prosecutors say, the defendants structured transactions specifically to avoid triggering export licensing requirements or raising red flags with suppliers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Chinese national allegedly coordinated with the U.S.-based defendants to facilitate the transfers and ensure the technology reached its intended recipients abroad.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-attorney-general-wants-opponent-investigated-over-2020-election-claims\/\" title=\"Michigan Attorney General Wants Opponent Investigated Over 2020 Election Claims\">charges include conspiracy<\/a>, violations of the Export Control Reform Act, and smuggling goods from the U.S. If convicted, the defendants could face significant prison sentences and financial penalties.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4503597\/trump-china-visit-xi-jinping-may-iran-war\/\"><strong>TRUMP TO VISIT CHINA IN MAY AFTER IRAN WAR POSTPONED TRIP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Assistant director of the FBI&rsquo;s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, Roman Rozhavsky, said the case underscores the importance of protecting American ingenuity as the AI race with adversaries continues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As our foreign adversaries escalate their efforts to dominate the field of artificial intelligence, we are seeing them employ increasingly brazen schemes to illegally acquire valuable U.S. technology,&rdquo; Rozhavsky said. &ldquo;Enforcing export controls is critical to our work safeguarding America&rsquo;s economic and national security, and the FBI will continue working with our partners to protect our nation&rsquo;s innovation and hold accountable those seeking to profit by supplying hostile nation states.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ charges 2 Americans, 1 Chinese in AI export plot<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2583847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/iStock-2234107930-e1774471971941.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[76546,4501,76547,14287,50822],"class_list":["post-2583846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-ai-chips-2","tag-china","tag-export-controls","tag-smuggling","tag-us-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/iStock-2234107930-e1774471971941.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583846"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583850,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583846\/revisions\/2583850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}