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.
