Justice Department Announces Five Cases as Part of Recently Launched Disruptive Technology Strike Force

"Today, we are announcing five cases from each of these districts. The cases - which were brought by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices in partnership with the National Security Division - span a range of merging technologies and malicious actors. These cases demonstrate the breadth and complexity of the threats we face, as well as what is at stake. They show our ability to accelerate investigations and surge our collective resources to defend against these threats."

-Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division

"These charges demonstrate the Justice Department's commitment to preventing sensitive technology from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries, including Russia, China, and Iran. We will not tolerate those who would violate U.S. laws to allow authoritarian regimes and other hostile nations to use advanced technology to threaten U.S. national security and undermine democratic values around the world."

-Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division

"Protecting sensitive American technology - like source code for 'smart' automotive manufacturing equipment or items used to develop quantum cryptography - from being illegally acquired by our adversaries is why we stood up the Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Strike Force actions announced today reflect the core mission of our Export Enforcement team - keeping our country's most sensitive technologies out of the world's most dangerous hands."

-Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce

"As alleged, while ostensibly operating as a defense contractor for NATO and other ally countries, the defendant and his Aratos Group were double dealing, helping to fuel Russia's war effort and their development of next generation weapons. Our office continues to work tirelessly to ensure that disruptive technologies do not fall into the wrong hands."

-U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York

"Oleg Patsulya and Vasilii Besedin are charged with conspiracies to violate the Export Control Reform Act and to commit money laundering. As alleged in the complaint, the conspirators fielded requests for parts directly from Russian airlines. The conspirators then went to parts suppliers in the United States and lied to these American companies about where these parts would be going."

-U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona

"Li stole thousands of files of sensitive technology that did not belong to him and used it to help foreign companies build competing technology - technology that could be used in the manufacture of nuclear submarines and military aircraft. Protecting our nation's national security is paramount, and my office will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who misappropriate sensitive intellectual property to the benefit of foreign actors."

-U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California

"Earlier today the court unsealed a six count indictment. The indictment...charges Weibo Wang with theft and attempted theft of trade secrets from Apple Incorporated. If convicted, Wang faces up to 10 years in prison for each trade secret violation. We are pleased with the renewed focus and energy that the Disruptive Technology Task Force brings to securing Silicon Valley's innovation."

-U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California

"As alleged, Xiangjiang Qiao conspired to send isostatic graphite to Iran, in violation of U.S. sanctions. Isostatic graphite is a high-tech material used in the nose tips of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Iranian regime of terror and repression, and those who facilitate it, pose a grave threat to our national security. This office will continue to work relentlessly to bring to justice those who advance the interests of the Iranian regime and thereby threaten the safety and security of the American people."

-U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York