The owner of a North Carolina-based electronics resale business has pleaded guilty to attempting to export sensitive technology with military applications to China without a licence, the US Justice Department said on Friday.
David C. Bohmerwald, whose Components Cooper Inc. operates in Raleigh, admitted to violating the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) by trying to ship 100 accelerometers to a company in China.
“When used for military applications, accelerometers are crucial to structural testing, monitoring, flight control and navigation systems,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
“The technology can help missiles fly better and measure the precise effect munitions have on structures. A license is required to export the accelerometers to China,” it added.
The ECRA gives Washington sweeping powers to restrict the flow of sensitive tech that could compromise national security.
When Bohmerwald bought the accelerometers, he claimed they were for an end user in Missouri, the Justice Department said. But when federal agents contacted the Missouri company, it denied having an order pending with him or his business.
