A dual citizen of the US and Taiwan has been sentenced for participating in a conspiracy to export defense materials to Iran twenty years after seeking refuge in Taiwan. 

En-Wei Eric Chang, aged 48, was handed a two-year federal prison sentence by US District Judge Richard D. Bennett this week.

Following his release, he will be placed under six months of supervision and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

As outlined in Chang's plea agreement, he conspired with David Chu to ship items listed on the Munitions List to Iran without obtaining the proper licensing between January 2002 and March 2003. 

The Munitions List includes arms, munitions, military aircraft parts, and related components and technology subject to export and import restrictions. 

"As this case demonstrates, federal prosecutors have long memories. If you choose to flee rather than face your federal charges, you will be found and prosecuted," US Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron said in a statement. 

At the time of Chang's offense, the United States prohibited licenses and exports of defense articles to Iran.

Chu, who had a business relationship with an Iranian businessman, was introduced to Chang, an electrical component supplier, in 2001.

In 2002, Chu requested Chang research satellite imagery dealers for the businessman.

It was an undercover agent who responded to Chang's request. They exchanged correspondence for several months over quotes on cavity-backed spiral antennas with military applications, including the detection and surveillance of ground-based radar.  

The agent ultimately revealed his identity to Chang in 2003 and informed him that he was being indicted in the conspiracy and that Chu was in the custody of US Marshals. 

Chang, who was in Taiwan, met with US officials there but declined to surrender.

Chang remained a fugitive for 20 years until his arrest on April 10, 2023, at Rome-Fiumcino International Airport in Italy, after which he was then extradited to the US. 

With reporting by TMX