# @thevigilantheroes on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DMhJ7LMu0WO
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66793551-thevigilantheroes-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ed0985e960.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-07-25T04:53:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vigilant Heroes (@thevigilantheroes) — https://gondola.cc/thevigilantheroes

## Caption

A U.S.-China dual citizen with a Stanford pedigree and a security-sensitive job just pled guilty to stealing highly classified missile-tracking technology. Chenguang Gong, 59, was hired in January 2023 as a circuit design manager at a Los Angeles-area defense R&D firm. Just three months later, he began secretly downloading thousands of files onto personal storage devices—many involving proprietary U.S. space-based systems for detecting missile launches and tracking hypersonic weapons.
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The stolen data, according to the DOJ, was valued in the hundreds of millions and included details on sensors that help aircraft evade heat-seeking missiles. Gong continued this unauthorized data transfer even after reportedly accepting a job at a rival firm. He was terminated in April 2023.
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Investigators later uncovered Gong’s longstanding interest in China’s state-backed “Talent Programs”—controversial initiatives like the Thousand Talents Program, which U.S. authorities warn are used to steal intellectual property and recruit spies. Between 2014 and 2022, Gong repeatedly applied to these programs while working for major U.S. tech companies.
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He even traveled to China to pitch his designs for high-performance analog-to-digital converters—devices with known military applications—and emailed his desire to help the People’s Liberation Army advance its technology.
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When the FBI searched his San Jose home in May 2023, they found multiple storage devices (at least two encrypted hard drives are still missing). While it remains unclear if Gong transferred data to the Chinese military, his guilty plea is an admission of at least the intent to commit espionage-type acts for a foreign government.  The would-be spy’s sentencing is set for September....and with the current charges, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. We’ll keep you updated: thevigilantheroes
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#espionage #spy #security #china #pacific #futurewar #tech #miltech #defense #cyber #China #SiliconValley #military #DOJ #PLA #justice

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## Tags

spy, defense, siliconvalley, pacific, security, espionage, doj, tech, military, china, futurewar, pla, cyber, justice, miltech

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