U.S. and Hong Kong (2007)

Department of Justice

United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

March 9, 2007

HONG KONG MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR ATTEMPTING TO SMUGGLE MILITARY WEAPONS SCOPES

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAI LIM WILLIAM LAM, age 33, of Hong Kong, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for attempting to smuggle goods from the United States. Judge Underhill also ordered LAM to forfeit $17,130.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on October 19, 2006, LAM was arrested after he purchased five weapons scopes – including a night-vision rifle scope, two submersible night-vision monoculars, a night-vision sniper scope, and a combat optical sight – for $11,000 in cash from an undercover agent in Stamford, Connecticut, and attempted to ship the scopes to Hong Kong.

"Federal law enforcement is committed to preventing the illegal export of sensitive military technology to ensure that it does not fall into the wrong hands," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

LAM, who has been detained since his arrest, pleaded guilty to the charge on December 11, 2006.

This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the United States Department of Defense; the Office of Export Enforcement of the United States Department of Commerce, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Chang.

CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov