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Although Wen Shenhua entered the United States on a student visa and eventually settled in San Bernardino County, law enforcement officials said he was involved in exporting firearms, ammunition and other munitions to North Korea. , alleging it had a more sinister purpose.
Federal authorities arrested Wen, 41, at his home in Ontario on Tuesday on suspicion of smuggling illegal goods hidden in shipping containers from Long Beach and acting as an agent of the North Korean government.
Officials said Wen, a Chinese national who is in the United States illegally overstaying his visa, is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which deals with sanctions and freezing foreign assets. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Wen’s federal public defender did not respond to a request for comment.
According to US Atty., it is illegal to supply North Korea with certain technology or military supplies without approval from the US government. Martin Estrada.
“North Korea has developed a plan to circumvent and circumvent these restrictions,” Estrada said at a news conference Tuesday morning. “It is important to keep sensitive materials, including military equipment, out of the hands of adversaries who could harm us or our allies.”
Estrada said Wen, who arrived in the United States in 2012, was “the key to this plan and the central figure in this conspiracy” by North Korea.
Before leaving China, Wen met with North Korean officials at two consulates, where he was instructed to procure goods in the United States, according to a Nov. 26 criminal complaint.
Prosecutors said Wen said in an interview with federal authorities that he may have been chosen for the position because he was good at smuggling.
Wen told authorities that while he was in the United States, he was contacted by two North Koreans living in China, Jin Yongnan and Choi. Wen continued to communicate with Choi via an encrypted messaging platform, according to the complaint.
During an interrogation with federal authorities, Wen reportedly admitted to transporting two containers containing firearms and other items to North Korea via Hong Kong in October and December 2023. Estrada said one shipment was labeled as a refrigerator and the other as camera parts. Wen is said to have received payment for the containers and shipping costs, totaling at least $2 million, from North Korean officials.
To obtain the weapons, Wen paid $150,000 to purchase Super Armory, a company with a federal firearms license and later registered it in Texas. According to the complaint, Wen allegedly used the company and people known as straw buyers to assemble the packages. Authorities said he then drove the guns and ammunition from Texas to California.
Federal authorities said they also found emails and text messages between Wen and a U.S.-based broker from January to April regarding the acquisition of commercial aircraft engines. During a meeting with authorities in September, Wen said he was instructed by North Korean officials to purchase airplane engines that would be used to develop North Korea’s military drone program, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, on Aug. 14, law enforcement officials at Wen’s home located two pieces of equipment they believed were intended to be sent to North Korea for military use: a chemical threat identification device and a handheld electronic eavesdropping device. An anti-surveillance device was seized.
On September 6, law enforcement seized approximately 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition stored in his white Ford van, which authorities believe he had obtained to send to North Korea.
Wen told authorities he believed the North Korean government wanted the goods he sent in preparation for an attack on South Korea, according to the complaint. Wen reportedly told authorities that the government wanted him to obtain military uniforms used by the North Korean military to disguise soldiers in the event of a surprise attack.
According to the complaint, Wen’s student visa was valid from December 5, 2012 to December 3, 2013. Estrada said it was unclear whether it was legal or whether he was actually studying.
Wen was ordered deported from the United States in 2018 and signed a document allowing him to overstay after his arrest in 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. It is unclear how he was able to remain in the country.
Estrada said authorities learned about Wen through multiple tips, including from several individuals who attempted to purchase items.
“We don’t know how long he was operating this. The investigation continues,” Estrada said.
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