A federal jury has convicted Ji Wang, a 63-year-old fiber laser expert from Painted Post, New York, of stealing sensitive military-related technology and attempting to transfer it to China, marking one of the most significant economic espionage cases in the state in recent years.
Wang was found guilty of two counts of economic espionage, one count of theft of trade secrets, and two counts of attempted espionage and theft. Prosecutors say he illegally took proprietary laser technology developed through a joint $11.4 million research project funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Corning Inc.
The stolen files contained non-public data and trade-secret manufacturing processes developed under a DARPA-funded program to create high-powered fiber lasers — a project with potential military applications, including laser weapons capable of shooting down drones and missiles.
Federal officials say Wang’s intent was clear: to profit personally by launching a specialty fiber optics business in China using stolen U.S. technology.
“Wang stole sensitive defense research from his employer and attempted to use it to pursue personal profit at the expense of our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “This verdict reaffirms that such betrayals of trust will not go unpunished.”
According to court documents, Wang applied for China’s Thousand Talents Plan just days before downloading hundreds of trade-secret files in July 2016. The Chinese government program incentivized expatriates with scientific or technical expertise to return to China, often with significant financial backing. Within two months of the theft, Wang had been selected for the award.
He had been in negotiations with Chinese government entities since at least 2014 and was reportedly seeking tens of millions of dollars in investment. In one of his submitted business plans, Wang boasted about the military applications of the stolen fiber technology, claiming it could be installed on tanks and help “decide victory or defeat.”
The FBI, Department of Commerce, and Homeland Security jointly investigated the case. Officials said law enforcement disrupted Wang’s efforts before he could launch the business or export the technology.
“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.
Wang faces up to 15 years in prison for each count of economic espionage and up to 10 years for theft of trade secrets. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, in Rochester federal court.
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