At SFO: Silicon Valley Tech Worker Arrested, Accused Of Stealing Trade Secrets

A tech worker suspected of stealing trade secrets was arrested Thursday at San Francisco International Airport as he prepared to board a flight for China, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag.

Jing Zeng, a 42-year-old resident of San Ramon, allegedly downloaded more than 100 files containing proprietary information from a confidential database after learning that his employment with Palo Alto-based Machine Zone, Inc., would be terminated, according Abraham Simmons, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Machine Zone, Inc., produces “Game of War: Fire Age” - an online video game. Zeng allegedly downloaded proprietary information using his company computer, transferred it to a storage device, then formatted the computer’s hard drive and returned it to his employer, according to Simmons.

The federal complaint against Zeng was unsealed at a bail hearing in San Francisco Tuesday. He was released on $100,000 bail but is being electronically monitored, according to Simmons.

He faces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted, as well as a fine of up to $250,000. The court may also order Zeng to pay restitution, Simmons said.

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A Barcelona man has been charged with a misdemeanor in San Mateo County Superior Court for having toy grenades in his carry-on luggage while going through security at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday, prosecutors said Tuesday.

When airport security saw the grenades in his bag, they shut down Terminal 2 for about two hours while the San Francisco police bomb squad verified they were plastic toys. Carrying toy grenades in an airport is specifically prohibited by the California penal code.

Spanish national Pedro Maillo-Briz, 38, has been charged with a misdemeanor for the incident, prosecutors said. He pleaded not guilty to the charge on Monday and remains in custody on $10,000 bail. Maillo-Briz had been vacationing with friends from Spain, driving through California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.

He purchased the six plastic hand grenades in Las Vegas as a gift for his 16- and 17-year-old nephews, who enjoy playing paintball, according to prosecutors. After he was dropped off at the airport at about 11:15 a.m. Sunday to catch a flight to Los Angeles, where he had a connecting flight to Barcelona, Maillo-Briz was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers during his security screening.

Maillo-Briz was apologetic for causing the delay, but was arrested and held in custody in San Mateo County. He did not waive his right to a speedy trial. The case is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 14, according to prosecutors.

• Also see:
• Cybersecurity Boot Camp Draws Congressional Staffers to Silicon Valley
• U.S. Attorney Haag Is Leaving Due to End Of Presidential Appointment
• $3.4 Million In Fencing, Security Upgrades Planned For San Jose Airport

By Bay City News

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