(Image Credit: IMAGN)
Los Angeles, California – In a case that blends international espionage, political repression, and covert surveillance, federal grand juries in Los Angeles and Milwaukee have returned indictments against two foreign nationals for allegedly targeting a U.S. resident critical of the Chinese government and attempting to illegally export sensitive American military technology to the People’s Republic of China.
The defendants, Cui Guanghai, a 43-year-old Chinese national, and John Miller, a 63-year-old dual national from the United Kingdom and lawful U.S. resident, face charges including conspiracy, interstate stalking, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act. Their alleged actions, prosecutors say, represent a rare and serious assault on both American civil liberties and national security.
According to federal investigators, beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller orchestrated a campaign of harassment and intimidation aimed at silencing a U.S.-based critic of the Chinese regime. The victim had publicly opposed the policies of the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping, and was planning to protest during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2023.
Cui and Miller allegedly recruited individuals—who were secretly cooperating with the FBI—to surveil the victim, vandalize his property, and interfere with his freedom of expression. This alleged harrassment included installing a GPS tracking device on the victim’s car, slashing his tires, and destroying sculptures he had created that depicted President Xi and his wife. They later offered tens of thousands of dollars to prevent the victim from releasing a livestream featuring new artistic works critical of the Chinese leader.
The pair’s alleged offenses did not end with political repression. According to the Milwaukee indictment, Cui and Miller also attempted to acquire and export highly sensitive U.S. defense equipment, including missiles, radar systems, drones, and encrypted military communication devices. They reportedly discussed hiding one such cryptographic device inside common household appliances, such as a blender, to evade detection. They planned to ship the equipment through Hong Kong to reach Chinese hands. Cui and Miller even made a $10,000 down payment through a U.S. bank account as part of this effort.
Unbeknownst to them, all six individuals they attempted to recruit—including those involved in both the stalking and arms smuggling schemes—were acting under the direction of the FBI.
Authorities recently arrested the men in Serbia, and the U.S. is now working with Serbian authorities on their extradition. If convicted, they could face decades in prison.
While the charges are serious, the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
