The owner of a Raleigh-based electronic resale business
pleaded guilty to attempting to export accelerometer technology with military
applications to China without a license, the FBI announced.
David Bohmerwald, 63, faces up to 20 years in prison. He is
the owner of Components Cooper, Inc., the FBI said.
“North Carolina is home to cutting-edge technologies that
fuel our economy, improve our lives, and are vital to national security,” said
acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Bubar. “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.”
The FBI said court documents and information presented in
court showed Bohmerwald purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based
electronics company, and then attempted to export the devices to a company in
China. The accelerometers have a wide array of applications ranging from
research and development of products to defense uses.
When used for military
applications, accelerometers are crucial to structural testing, monitoring,
flight control and navigation systems, according to the FBI. The technology can
help missiles fly more accurately and measure the precise effect munitions have
on structures. A license is required to export the accelerometers to China.
The U.S. based electronics company notified law enforcement
due to Bohmerwald’s suspicious and unusual purchase request, according to the
FBI.
The FBI said when Bohmerwald purchased the accelerometers,
he claimed that they were for an end user in Missouri. When federal agents
contacted the Missouri company, it denied having an order pending with
Bohmerwald and his business, Components Cooper.
