Chinese Businessman Sent Military Equipment To Terrorists Via Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL — A Chinese businessman was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for attempting to provide military equipment to a Peruvian Terrorist Organization by sending it through Elmhurst, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Guan Ying Li, also known as Henry Li, 50, of Hong Kong, pleaded guilty in 2014 to one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to Shining Path, a terrorist organization in Peru, according to the release. In 2011, Li made several deals with a purported Chicago-area businessman to provide military equipment to Shining Path, knowing that this equipment was to be used to kill Peruvian and U.S. government personnel. According to the release, the purported Chicago-area businessman was actually an undercover law enforcement agent.

According to the release, Li acquired and sold to the undercover agent five thermal batteries designed for use in the man-portable air-defense system known as MANPAD. These surface-to-air missiles would allow Shining Path members to shoot down helicopters, including those carrying U.S. personnel. According to Li’s plea agreement, Li caused the batteries to be shipped from Hong Kong to an address in Central America provided by the undercover agent.

Li also sold eight Paratrooper Assault Harnesses, eight Paratrooper backpacks, eight shovels, two VHF radios and four night-vision systems, the plea agreement states. Li caused this equipment to be shipped from China to an address in Elmhurst, provided by the undercover agent.

According to the release, pursuant to his plea agreement, Li agreed to cooperate in any matter in which he is called upon by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Image via Shutterstock.