E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
Federal grand juries in Los Angeles and Milwaukee have indicted two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai of China and John Miller of the United Kingdom, on charges related to interstate stalking and conspiracy. The Justice Department announced that these charges involve a plot to silence a U.S. dissident and attempts to smuggle U.S. military technology to China.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "As alleged, the defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime." He emphasized the seriousness of these allegations as an attack on national security and democratic values.
The FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino remarked on the alleged actions: "The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America."
In Los Angeles, Cui and Miller are accused of enlisting individuals inside the United States in October 2023 to stop a victim from protesting against President Xi at an international summit. This scheme involved surveillance activities and vandalism targeting artistic statues made by the victim.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli highlighted, "The indictment alleges that Chinese foreign actors targeted a victim in our nation because he criticized the Chinese government and its president." Meanwhile, Assistant Director Akil Davis stressed that such transnational repression will not be tolerated.
Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, their collaborators were acting under FBI direction during these plots.
In Milwaukee, beginning in November 2023, Cui and Miller allegedly sought U.S. defense articles for unlawful exportation to China. They reportedly discussed concealing items like cryptographic devices within household electronics for shipment first to Hong Kong.
If convicted, both face significant prison time: up to five years each for conspiracy and interstate stalking; 20 years for violating the Arms Export Control Act; and 10 years for smuggling.
The FBI is leading this investigation with cooperation from Serbian authorities regarding extraditions. Several prosecutors across different districts are handling this case with assistance from international affairs offices.
