Men Charged with Smuggling & Stalking for the PRC

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin has indicted two men for attempting to smuggle sensitive U.S. defense technology to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The charges include conspiracy, attempted export of defense articles without a license, and smuggling, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and federal export regulations.  A separate indictment in Los Angeles charges the pair with interstate stalking.

According to the Wisconsin indictment unsealed Friday, John Miller, a U.K. citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident, and Cui Guanghai, a Chinese national also known as “Jack,” conspired between November 2023 and April 2025 to acquire and export items on the U.S. Munitions List—including cryptographic devices, surface-to-air missiles, air defense radar, and military drones—to the PRC without authorization from the U.S. Department of State.

The grand jury alleges the pair solicited “a ReAlly Simply Key Loader (RASKL) KIK-30 Type 1 cryptographic device with associated Crypto Ignition Key,” which they planned to conceal in household electronics and ship via third countries. The device, which enables encrypted communications for military systems, is a classified defense article under ITAR regulations.

Federal prosecutors detailed a series of encrypted communications in which the defendants negotiated pricing, logistics, and concealment strategies with undercover FBI operatives posing as suppliers. In one message, Miller stated, “They want complete items… their list has hundreds of items… they are looking for almost anything they can get their hands on.” Cui emphasized the PRC’s willingness to pay premiums for such equipment: “For the newest Stinger [missile] they’re offering $50,000,” and “the equipment worth good money…with the keys.”

The indictment outlines how Miller and Cui discussed smuggling strategies, including concealing equipment in food mixers, small electronics, or vehicle parts. One covert message recorded Cui saying, “We have 2 GPS [units] without keys… The equipment is worth good money with the keys.”

Despite being warned by undercover operatives that such exports were illegal and required licensing and end-user certifications, the defendants allegedly proceeded with wire transfers and cash payments exceeding $26,000 in down payments. They also coordinated travel to Hungary and discussed transportation routes through the Schengen Zone.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for the AECA violation, 10 years for smuggling, and 5 years for conspiracy. The United States is seeking their extradition from Serbia, where both were recently arrested.

The FBI is leading the investigation, with prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section