LOS ANGELES – (INT) – An undocumented immigrant from China, living in Ontario, pleaded guilty Monday (June 9th) to illegally exporting firearms, ammunition and other military items to North Korea.

Shenghua Wen, 42, entered the United States in 2012 on a student visa and remained in the U.S. illegally after his student visa expired in December 2013.

Before coming to the US, Wen met with officials from North Korea’s government at a North Korean embassy in China. Wen was directed to procure goods on behalf of North Korea and were concealed inside shipping containers that departed from the Port of Long Beach, according to the US Attorney’s office.

North Korean government officials wired him approximately $2 million for his efforts.

Wen has been in federal custody since his arrest in December 2024.

Story Date: June 10, 2025