Federal officials say two foreigners have been accused of criticizing the Los Angeles-based artist of criticizing the Chinese president.
Qi Guanggui, 43, and John Miller, 63, of the UK, and a legal permanent resident of the US have been charged with interstate stalking, interstate stalking, smuggling and conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act.
“The defendant is said to have planned to harass and interfere with individuals who criticized the actions of the Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected freedom of speech rights within the United States,” said Dan Bongino, deputy FBI director. “The same individual is accused of trying to acquire and export US military technology that is sensitive to China.”
If convicted, CUI and Miller face up to five years in prison for conspiracy, five years for interstate stalking, 20 years for violating the Arms Export Control Act, and 10 years in smuggling.
According to court documents, CUI and Miller allegedly hired two people they didn’t know they were acting under the directions of the FBI. The victims, who were not appointed for release, previously publicly criticized XI and the Chinese government.
CUI and Miller investigated the suspected victim, installed tracking devices in the car, reduced the tires of the car, purchased and destroyed statues created by the victim who showed Xi and Xi’s wife.
In the spring of 2025, the victim announced that they were planning to publish an online feed showing two statues. CUI and Miller allegedly paid the other two $36,500 to persuade the victims not to display the statue. These two also worked at the FBI.
Since November 2023, Miller and CUI are said to have procured US defense clauses, including air defense radars, drones, missiles and cryptographic devices, to illegally export from the US to China. They spoke with two other people about how to export devices, such as blenders, motor starters, small electronics, or shipping them to Hong Kong.
CUI and Miller are said to have paid about $10,000 in cryptographic device deposits through wire transfers to US couriers and US bank accounts.
Source link
