Los Angeles, CA — A 59-year-old Bay Area man, identified as Chenguang Gong, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after admitting to stealing highly sensitive missile-detection technology from a Southern California defense contractor, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The stolen technology — designed for U.S. government defense systems — provided capabilities to detect nuclear missile launches, follow ballistic and hypersonic missiles, and help fighter aircraft evade heat-seeking missiles.
DOJ: Theft Conducted on Behalf of China
According to federal prosecutors, Gong stole the technology for the benefit of China, making the case part of a broader pattern involving the People’s Republic of China (PRC) targeting U.S. defense advancements.
In addition to prison time, Gong was ordered to pay more than $77,000 in restitution and a $100,000 fine, the DOJ stated.
How the Theft Unfolded
Gong worked at the unnamed Los Angeles-area research and development company for fewer than four months in 2023. But during his final month of employment, he allegedly began systematically lifting internal data.
Prosecutors said Gong transferred thousands of files from his company-issued laptop onto three personal storage devices — including over 1,800 files after he had already accepted a job with one of the company’s major competitors.
Authorities said the stolen data included:
- Blueprints for advanced infrared sensors used in space-based missile detection systems
- Designs crucial for tracking ballistic and hypersonic missile activity
- Technology enabling U.S. military aircraft to detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and deploy protective countermeasures
- Technical documents detailing how sensors can jam infrared tracking systems
Investigators later recovered many of these files on storage devices seized from Gong’s temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, as per KTLA.
Not an Isolated Incident, Prosecutors Say
Federal prosecutors emphasized that Gong’s actions fit into a larger, concerning pattern.
“This was not an isolated incident,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo. “It represents the culmination of a long pattern of stealing proprietary technology from U.S. companies to benefit the PRC’s military.”
Officials did not publicly identify the competitor Gong had accepted employment with, nor did they specify what Gong intended to do with the stolen materials — but authorities underscored that the nature of the files posed serious national security risks.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Gong pleaded guilty in July to one count of theft of trade secrets. The charge stems from violations of federal laws protecting national defense information, proprietary research, and classified-adjacent technologies.
His 46-month prison sentence, combined with financial penalties totaling nearly $180,000, reflects what officials described as a need to “send a clear message” about safeguarding U.S. military research.
Why the Case Matters
The technology targeted in this theft plays a crucial role in the United States’ ability to:
- Identify nuclear missile launches
- Track hypersonic weapons, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5
- Protect pilots from infrared-guided missiles, one of the most common threats in modern warfare
Federal officials say that compromised access to such systems could give adversarial nations a strategic advantage, making cases like this a top priority for counterintelligence agencies.
Does the U.S. need stronger protections against foreign-linked tech theft? Share your thoughts in the comments — this one’s definitely a conversation starter.
