On Friday, March 28, 2014, Pennsylvania resident, Hao Yang, will face sentencing for conspiracy to traffic counterfeit electronic components into the United States from China.
After his arrest in June 2013, U.S. Immigration and Homeland Security Investigations identified Yang as a co-conspirator in a scheme to traffic in counterfeit military grade integrated circuits and fraudulently sell them as legitimate American-made parts.
From 2010 to June 2013, Yang and his co-conspirators created and operated several companies in Maryland and Pennsylvania to facilitate the conspiracy. In addition, he maintained numerous bank accounts to deposit his illegal commissions and make payments associated with his counterfeit activities. He also used the commissions he received from his co-conspirators to pay for living expenses and other purchases.
Counterfeit military electronic components sold in the US pose a threat to national security. By using counterfeit circuits, their malfunction or failure could likely have caused serious bodily injury or impaired military operations, personnel or national security.
As part of his plea agreement, Yang will be required to forfeit five bank accounts worth over $59,000, his 2010 Acura purchased with proceeds of the crime, and counterfeit computer software, DVDs, sports jerseys and other items with an approximate value of $280,720. Yang faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
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Robb Hammond is the President of AERI and the former chair of the Aerospace Industry’s Counterfeit Electronic Components Mitigation Standard for independent distributors, AS6081, which has become one of the industry’s most respected documents, as well as being adopted by the Department of Defense. Robb is one of the foremost thought leaders in the industry on counterfeit detection and speaks regularly at conferences around the globe.
