Woman Charged For Smuggling US Space Tech, Military Communications Equipment To China

A Chinese woman residing in California is facing federal law charges for smuggling sensitive space communications technology, including the components in military communications jammers, from the United States to China.

The US Justice Department said Si Chen, also known as Cathy Chen, faces 14 charges that accuse her of purchasing and smuggling more than $100,000 (89,000 euros) worth of equipment to China between March 2013 and December 2015, Reuters report. 

Along with the charges of exporting the material, Chen was charged with conspiracy, money laundering, making false statements on an immigration application and using a fake passport, the report says.

"Federal export laws are designed to protect American interests by preventing the proliferation of technology that may fall into the wrong hands," said acting US Attorney Sandra Brown in a statement.

Chen pleaded not guilty at arraignment in US District Court in Los Angeles and was ordered to be held with bail pending a bond hearing set for Thursday. If Chen were to be convicted on all charges, she could face up to 150 years in prison.