North Carolina Businessman Admits Guilt in Illegal Export Scheme
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina business owner has pleaded guilty to attempting to illegally export sensitive electronic devices with potential military applications to China, according to federal authorities. David C. Bohmerwald, 63, the owner of Raleigh-based Components Cooper Inc., admitted in U.S. District Court on Friday to violating the Export Control Reform Act and other federal laws.
Bohmerwald’s sentencing is tentatively scheduled for mid-May, and he faces a possible prison term of up to 20 years, a U.S. Justice Department news release stated.
Investigations revealed that Bohmerwald purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronics company and then attempted to ship them to a company in China. Accelerometers, which measure acceleration and vibration, have applications in the aerospace and military sectors, including missile guidance systems and measuring the effects of munitions.
Authorities were alerted to Bohmerwald’s purchase request by the electronics company. After receiving the accelerometers, Bohmerwald brought two packages to a shipping store, one of which was addressed to a business in China. Federal agents intercepted the package and found the accelerometers inside.
According to government officials, Bohmerwald falsely declared the package’s value at $100, when the actual value was nearly $20,000. He also admitted to agents that he acquired the technology on behalf of a Chinese company, despite knowledge of 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 in the Carolinas.
Lawyers representing Bohmerwald did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.
