A federal jury in Rochester, New York, has convicted Ji Wang, 63, of Painted Post, NY, on multiple charges including two counts of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets. The verdict was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg and U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York.
“This conviction demonstrates the importance of protecting trade secrets developed in the United States, especially those with military applications,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “My office will continue pursue and prosecute those that steal such information.”
“Yesterday, a federal jury found Wang guilty of stealing sensitive defense research from his employer and attempting to use it to pursue personal profit at the expense our national security. We are committed to combating economic espionage and holding accountable those who disregard our export-control laws and the security of U.S. technology,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “This verdict reaffirms that such betrayals of trust will not go unpunished.”
“This conviction underscores the FBI’s dedication to exposing those who steal U.S. trade secrets for foreign benefit,” said Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Any theft of valuable intellectual property is a threat to American businesses. When stolen trade secrets stand to benefit a foreign economic rival; it threatens our national security. The FBI remains committed to investigating individuals who trade American security for their own selfish greed.”
“The Bureau of Industry and Security remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement and industry partners to prevent the unlawful transfer of sensitive technologies,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Carson.
Wang immigrated from China in 1998 to work at Corning Incorporated. From 2002 through 2007, he participated in a joint research project funded by both Corning and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The five-year project aimed to develop advanced optical fibers for high-powered lasers with military uses, including potential laser weapons capable of intercepting drones or missiles.
In July 2016, Wang stole hundreds of files containing non-public data from this DARPA project, including manufacturing technology considered trade secrets that could be used in specialty optical fiber production.
Shortly before taking these files, Wang applied for China’s Thousand Talents Plan Award—a government initiative encouraging Chinese-born scientists abroad to return by offering significant investment incentives. Two months after stealing the files, Wang was selected as an award recipient.
Between 2014 and 2017, Wang negotiated with Chinese government entities about launching a specialty fiber business in China using these stolen materials. His business plans indicated intent to use this technology commercially and militarily; one proposal noted its application on military vehicles like tanks could be decisive in warfare outcomes.
Law enforcement intervened before Wang could establish his new business or further exploit the technology.
The investigation involved agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent In-Charge Philip Tejera; Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement led by Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Carson; and Homeland Security Investigations based in Detroit.
Prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan K. McGuire (Western District of New York) along with Trial Attorneys Nicholas Hunter and Brendan Geary from the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section within the National Security Division.
Economic espionage convictions can result in up to 15 years imprisonment while theft of trade secrets carries up to a decade behind bars. Sentencing is set for April 15, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr., who presided over this case.
