Latest news with #ComponentsCooperInc.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC businessman pleads guilty to trying to send technology with military uses to China
The owner of a Raleigh-based company pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to attempting to sell technology with military applications to China without a required license, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. David C. Bohmerwald, 63, the owner of Components Cooper Inc., was formally charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act in October. That law, passed in 2018, aims to increase control over emerging and foundational technologies. Bohmerwald pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle in Raleigh. He now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the Justice Department news release said. 'North Carolina is home to cutting-edge technologies that fuel our economy, improve our lives, and are vital to national security. But our status as a major tech hub also makes us a target, as America's foreign adversaries seek to acquire sensitive tech to advance their military might and interests around the world,' acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Bubar said in a statement. 'We've launched a multi-agency Disruptive Technology Strike Force cell to shut down international schemes that smuggle sensitive technology and IP to America's adversaries. This case is just one example, exposing a scheme to evade U.S. export laws by shipping nearly $20,000 worth of accelerometers with missile applications from North Carolina to the People's Republic of China,' he said. Bohmerwald purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronics company and then attempted to export the devices to a company in China, the news release said. The accelerometers can be used for various purposes, including research and development as well as defense applications, according to the release. One way they can be used for military purposes is to help missiles fly more accurately and measure the precise impact of munitions on structures, the release stated. The U.S. electronics company alerted law enforcement after Bohmerwald's suspicious purchase of accelerometers. He claimed they were for a Missouri customer, but the Missouri company told federal agents they had no order with Bohmerwald. After receiving the devices, Bohmerwald dropped two packages at a local FedEx store, one addressed to a Chinese business. An agent with the Department of Commerce intercepted the package, discovering the 100 accelerometers inside with no export license on file. Bohmerwald had also undervalued the shipment at $100, though its true value was nearly $20,000. In interviews, he admitted acquiring the technology for a Chinese company, knowing it was export-controlled and required a license, according to the news release. According to court documents, Components Cooper Inc. has existed since May 2018 and lists its business as electronic sales. Its sole employee was Bohmerwald. The company has been associated with at least 26 exports, which have gone to locations in Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and China. Those exports were either integrated circuits or electronic components, court records show.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Carolina company owner pleads guilty over attempted technology sale to China
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The owner of a North Carolina company pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to trying to sell electronic devices that have military applications to China without having a required U.S. government license, authorities said. David C. Bohmerwald, who was formally charged in October with violating the Export Control Reform Act and other portions of the federal code, entered the plea to a count before U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle in Raleigh. Bohmerwald, 63, has a tentative sentencing date for mid-May, court records show. He could face up to 20 years in prison, according to a U.S. Justice Department news release. Bohmerwald, the owner of Raleigh-based Components Cooper Inc., purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronic company, and then attempted to export the devices to a company in China, the release said, citing court documents and information presented in court. An accelerometer, which measures the vibration, tilt and acceleration of a structure, can be used in aerospace and military applications, such as helping missiles fly more accurately and measuring the precise effect of munitions. The electronics company notified law enforcement about Bohmerwald's purchase request. After receiving the accelerometers, Bohmerwald dropped off two parcels -- one addressed to a business in China -- at a shipping store, the release said. A federal agent held the package and found the 100 accelerometers inside. Bohmerwald falsely listed the value of the package's content at $100, when the true value was nearly $20,000, according to the government, and he admitted to agents that he acquired the technology on behalf of a Chinese-based company while knowing about the export restrictions. 'The disruption of this scheme to illegally export sensitive technology means that accelerometers and other items will not be used by unauthorized individuals or for adversarial purposes,' said Cardell Morant, a special agent in charge who supervises Homeland Security Investigations, within the Department of Homeland Security, in the Carolinas. Lawyers identified in court records as representing Bohmerwald in the case didn't respond Friday to an email seeking comment.
The Hill
28-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
North Carolina company owner pleads guilty over attempted technology sale to China
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The owner of a North Carolina company pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to trying to sell electronic devices that have military applications to China without having a required U.S. government license, authorities said. David C. Bohmerwald, who was formally charged in October with violating the Export Control Reform Act and other portions of the federal code, entered the plea to a count before U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle in Raleigh. Bohmerwald, 63, has a tentative sentencing date for mid-May, court records show. He could face up to 20 years in prison, according to a U.S. Justice Department news release. Bohmerwald, the owner of Raleigh-based Components Cooper Inc., purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronic company, and then attempted to export the devices to a company in China, the release said, citing court documents and information presented in court. An accelerometer, which measures the vibration, tilt and acceleration of a structure, can be used in aerospace and military applications, such as helping missiles fly more accurately and measuring the precise effect of munitions. The electronics company notified law enforcement about Bohmerwald's purchase request. After receiving the accelerometers, Bohmerwald dropped off two parcels — one addressed to a business in China — at a shipping store, the release said. A federal agent held the package and found the 100 accelerometers inside. Bohmerwald falsely listed the value of the package's content at $100, when the true value was nearly $20,000, according to the government, and he admitted to agents that he acquired the technology on behalf of a Chinese-based company while knowing about the export restrictions. 'The disruption of this scheme to illegally export sensitive technology means that accelerometers and other items will not be used by unauthorized individuals or for adversarial purposes,' said Cardell Morant, a special agent in charge who supervises Homeland Security Investigations, within the Department of Homeland Security, in the Carolinas.
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
North Carolina company owner pleads guilty over attempted technology sale to China
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The owner of a North Carolina company pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to trying to sell electronic devices that have military applications to China without having a required U.S. government license, authorities said. David C. Bohmerwald, who was formally charged in October with violating the Export Control Reform Act and other portions of the federal code, entered the plea to a count before U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle in Raleigh. Bohmerwald, 63, has a tentative sentencing date for mid-May, court records show. He could face up to 20 years in prison, according to a U.S. Justice Department news release. Bohmerwald, the owner of Raleigh-based Components Cooper Inc., purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronic company, and then attempted to export the devices to a company in China, the release said, citing court documents and information presented in court. An accelerometer, which measures the vibration, tilt and acceleration of a structure, can be used in aerospace and military applications, such as helping missiles fly more accurately and measuring the precise effect of munitions. The electronics company notified law enforcement about Bohmerwald's purchase request. After receiving the accelerometers, Bohmerwald dropped off two parcels -- one addressed to a business in China -- at a shipping store, the release said. A federal agent held the package and found the 100 accelerometers inside. Bohmerwald falsely listed the value of the package's content at $100, when the true value was nearly $20,000, according to the government, and he admitted to agents that he acquired the technology on behalf of a Chinese-based company while knowing about the export restrictions. 'The disruption of this scheme to illegally export sensitive technology means that accelerometers and other items will not be used by unauthorized individuals or for adversarial purposes,' said Cardell Morant, a special agent in charge who supervises Homeland Security Investigations, within the Department of Homeland Security, in the Carolinas.
