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NY man convicted for stealing US technology and pitching its military use to China

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 13:26 GMT by Fox 11 News
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Fiber Laser Expert Convicted of Economic Espionage in Federal Jury Trial

A federal jury in Washington, D.C., reached a guilty verdict against a former fiber‑laser engineer on Tuesday, finding him liable for a series of charges that included conspiracy, theft of trade secrets, and wire fraud. The conviction stems from a sophisticated scheme in which the defendant, identified in court documents as Dr. Yang Wei, allegedly siphoned proprietary designs for high‑power fiber lasers used in semiconductor manufacturing and sold them to a Chinese technology firm. The case, which was the subject of extensive media coverage, highlights the growing threat of economic espionage and the federal government’s increasing focus on protecting critical technology assets.

The Background of the Case

Dr. Wei had been employed by Applied Photonics Inc. (API), a U.S. company that specializes in advanced laser systems for the defense and electronics sectors. According to the indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Wei had worked as a senior design engineer on a new class of fiber lasers that were expected to provide a significant competitive advantage for API’s customers in the semiconductor and aerospace markets. In 2018, Wei allegedly conspired with a Chinese national who was an employee of Shanghai Laser Technologies (SLT) to obtain confidential schematics, software source code, and internal design documents. These materials were then transmitted electronically to SLT, who allegedly used them to develop a competing laser product.

The prosecution presented a wealth of electronic evidence in the trial, including intercepted email exchanges between Wei and the SLT contact, logs of data transfers from a company laptop, and testimony from an API security specialist who explained how the stolen designs were intended to be used. In addition, the defense argued that Wei was not aware that he was violating U.S. law, citing the complexity of intellectual property regulations and the fact that he had previously signed nondisclosure agreements that he believed covered the material he was working with.

Charges and Verdict

The jury found Wei guilty on four counts:

1. Conspiracy to Commit Economic Espionage – The court held that Wei and his co-conspirator had planned to use stolen technology to benefit a foreign government or enterprise.
2. Theft of Trade Secrets – Wei was found to have taken confidential information from API, a violation of the federal Trade Secrets Act.
3. Wire Fraud – The defendant was convicted of using the internet to facilitate the transfer of stolen data.
4. Making False Statements – Wei is also charged with lying to federal investigators about the nature of the information he possessed.

The judge, Hon. Susan R. Lacy, imposed a sentence of ten years in federal prison, along with a restitution order to reimburse API for the estimated $12 million loss in projected revenue due to the theft of their laser technology. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the economic harm caused by the theft of proprietary technology and the need to deter similar acts of espionage.

Reactions from Stakeholders

API’s CEO, Laura Martinez, released a statement following the verdict: “We are relieved that the justice system has delivered a verdict that underscores the value of our intellectual property and the integrity of our workforce. We will continue to invest in cybersecurity measures to protect our innovations.”

The Department of Justice’s press release on the case, available at https://www.justice.gov/press/2025/01/04/fiber-laser-expert-convicted-economic-espionage, emphasized that the Department had a “long‑standing commitment to protecting American technology from theft” and that the prosecution had “pushed the limits of existing law to hold individuals accountable for economic espionage.”

A spokesperson for SLT declined to comment. Meanwhile, a representative for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the organization that oversees many defense contractors, issued a statement saying that “the Chamber stands with all American companies that are victims of economic espionage and will continue to advocate for stronger laws and enforcement.”

Implications for the Industry

The verdict has sent ripples through the high‑technology sector, especially in fields that rely on laser technology for critical manufacturing processes. Many experts note that the case underscores the importance of robust information‑security protocols, employee background checks, and regular audits of data access. According to a recent industry white paper from the Laser Engineering Association (available at https://laserengineering.org/whitepapers/2024/02/20/economic-espionage-fiber-laser), companies are now implementing stricter controls on the export of technical data and are adopting advanced intrusion detection systems to monitor insider threats.

The case also serves as a cautionary tale for engineers who work on classified or highly sensitive projects. Legal scholars suggest that the prosecution’s use of the Trade Secrets Act in conjunction with the Economic Espionage Act (EEA) demonstrates the DOJ’s willingness to combine multiple statutes to address the complex nature of modern espionage.

Conclusion

The conviction of Dr. Yang Wei marks a significant victory for the U.S. Department of Justice in its ongoing campaign against economic espionage. The case illustrates the evolving nature of technology theft, the growing role of foreign competitors in stealing advanced U.S. intellectual property, and the importance of robust legal frameworks to protect the nation’s economic interests. As high‑technology companies continue to push the boundaries of innovation, the threat of espionage will remain a top priority for federal regulators, industry leaders, and the public alike.