Pasadena man among two charged with Chinese export scheme

Two Southern California men have been arrested on federal charges that they illegally exported computer chips with military applications to China.

The U.S. attorney’s office says part-time Los Angeles resident Yi-Chi Shih and Kiet Ahn Mai of Pasadena were arrested Friday. It’s unclear whether they have attorneys.

Federal prosecutors say the men conspired to have a U.S. company make special high-speed computer chips that were illegally exported to a Chinese company connected to Shih.

Authorities say the chips have a number of commercial and military uses, including radar and electronic warfare applications.

If they are convicted, the two men could face years in federal prison.