Sihai Cheng, who also goes by Chun Hai Cheng and Alex Cheng, arrived at Logan Airport in Boston early last month to face federal charges of conspiring to export items that can be used in the production of nuclear weapons to Iran. He was extradited from the United Kingdom to the U.S., where he now faces a 10-count indictment including charges of conspiracy, illegal export of U.S. goods to Iran and smuggling.
Cheng had been selling thousands of parts that can be used in nuclear weapons since 2005. In 2009, he illegally obtained hundreds of parts from U.S. based company MKS Instruments Inc., and had them sent to China. Once they arrived, he exported them to Tehran, Iran, violating U.S. export sanctions in place against Iran.
Cheng faces a maximum of 20 years in jail for conspiracy to commit export violations and illegal exports of goods to Iran, a maximum of 10 years in jail on the charges of smuggling goods, and a maximum of five years in jail for conspiracy. Other penalties include five years of supervision once released and a $4 million fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge and currently, all charges pending against Cheng remain allegations.
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