Arrested in FBI Undercover Operation
Plotted Terror Attacks Targeting Anti-China Figures in the U.S.
Attempted Smuggling of Military Equipment
A British-born American permanent resident in his 60s was recruited by a Chinese intelligence agency, attempted to smuggle Western-made weapons, and plotted terrorist attacks targeting anti-China figures in the United States, but was arrested after being caught in an undercover investigation by the FBI.
The British daily The Telegraph reported on June 1 (local time), citing an indictment filed with the Central District Court of California, that John Miller, a 63-year-old British businessman, was recently arrested after being caught in an FBI undercover operation. Miller is accused of engaging in illegal surveillance, plotting terrorist acts, and conducting sabotage activities over a period of two and a half years. Miller, originally from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, holds U.S. permanent residency.
According to the indictment, Miller offered at least $100,000 (approximately 140 million won) to orchestrate an attack on an artist in the Los Angeles area who has been critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He told an FBI agent posing as a hitman, "If you take care of him, I'll pay you a lot of money," and added, "If you use bullets instead of a baseball bat, you'll get even more." However, prosecutors stated that Miller also said, "Just go for the knees and ankles. It doesn't have to be bullets," and instructed, "Take a picture after you ruin him."
Previously, in November 2023, when President Xi visited the United States for a summit with then-U.S. President Joe Biden, Miller committed crimes such as attaching tracking devices to the vehicles of anti-China figures and slashing their tires in an attempt to prevent protests. He also purchased and destroyed a sculpture depicting President Xi and his wife in a humiliating pose?kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs?even before it could be exhibited.
He attempted to smuggle U.S.-made military equipment, such as missiles and radar systems, into China. The items Miller tried to purchase included Stinger man-portable air-defense missiles, two military drones, AGM-88E anti-radiation missiles, an air defense radar system worth 15 million pounds (about 2.78 billion won), and encryption devices used for exchanging sensitive information. The FBI stated that he planned to disguise these items as car ignition systems, ship them to Hong Kong, and then transfer them to China. During this process, Miller repeatedly referred to the 'buyers' as 'The Boss' or 'Big Boss,' noting their strong interest in Western items such as armor plating used in U.S. tanks. The FBI explained that the 'Boss' Miller mentioned refers to President Xi, stating, "This shows he knew he was acting under the direction and control of the Chinese government."
In April, Miller was arrested in Serbia along with Chinese national Cui Guanghai, 43, at the request of the FBI, and both are expected to be extradited to the United States soon. If convicted, both face up to 40 years in prison.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "This case is a blatant attack on our national security and democratic values," adding, "The Department of Justice will not tolerate attempts to repress dissent or infiltrate our defense systems on U.S. soil."
The Telegraph reported that residents of the Kent region in the UK, where Miller mainly stayed, expressed shock at the revelation that he was a Chinese spy, describing him as "funny, kind, and an extremely ordinary person."
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