Illegal

Raleigh Businessman Pleads Guilty to Illegal Export to China

Raleigh Businessman Pleads Guilty to Illegal Export to China

**Raleigh, NC** – David C. Bohmerwald, 63, owner of Components Cooper Inc., a Raleigh electronics resale business, pleaded guilty to attempting to export military-use accelerometer technology to China without a license. This action violates the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) and could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison upon sentencing.

Court records revealed that Bohmerwald purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S. electronics company, intending to export them to a Chinese company. These devices are significant in fields spanning from research and product development to critical military applications like flight control and missile navigation. A license is necessary for exporting such technology to China.

Upon purchasing the accelerometers, Bohmerwald falsely stated they were for a Missouri-based end user. However, the Missouri company denied any such transaction. After obtaining the accelerometers, Bohmerwald attempted to ship them via FedEx to China. Agents from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security detained the package, uncovering the lack of a proper export license and noting Bohmerwald’s undervaluation of the items.

The investigation is conducted by the Bureau of Industry and Security, FBI