A Washington court has unsealed charges against an ex-Marine pilot for his alleged activities with Peoples Liberation Army in China. According to CNN, the charges against Daniel Duggan date back to 2010 and include conspiracy to defraud the United States by conspiracy to unlawfully export defense services to China, conspiracy to launder money, and two counts of violating the arms export control act and international traffic in arms regulations. The government alleges “Duggan provided military training to (Chinese) pilots” through the Test Flying Academy of South Africa in 2010 and 2012. That same organization is at the center of investigations in the U.K., France, Canada and Australia over allegations that former military pilots are working under lucrative contracts in China, but it appears Duggan is the first to face charges.
Duggan is now an Australian citizen and was arrested there in October at the request of U.S. authorities under an extradition treaty between the two countries. The U.S. has until Dec. 20 to formally request Duggan’s extradition. He remains in jail in Sydney. The indictment says an ex-Navy T-2 Buckeye was purchased from a U.S. aircraft dealer to train Chinese pilots how to land on aircraft carriers. T-2s were used by the Navy for training until 2008. Duggan had been living in Beijing since 2014 and moved back to Australia shortly before his arrest.
I seem to remember providing aid to the enemy used to be called treason. I assume since he is now an Australian citizen he can’t be charged with treason. Was he an American citizen when he was doing the training?
I believe he has dual citizenship, therefore he can be tried under US law. Treason is specifically defined in the constitution as “giving aid and comfort to the enemy in time of war”. As we are not at war with China, he has not committed treason. Other laws will be imposing considerable discomfort for him though.
Not correct.
This is article 3 section of the US Constitution:
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Used to be.
The U.S. aided the Taliban in the 80s and again in 2021.
When the government does it. Not treason. When you or I do it. Treason.
When trade relations are such that 99% of the items you purchase from Walmart supports a communist regime. Not treason.
When you show same communist regime how to fly an airplane. Treason.
Hope this POS rots in jail. So much for honoring your oath to protect the US and Constitution and your fellow Marines.
I am hoping for a bit more severe punishment.
I hope this case will not be used as a single example/deterrent. It will be interesting to see if the DoJ has the motivation to do the right thing and apprehend, prosecute, convict, and sentence all former US miilitary pilots who did or do the same as this guy.
Not excusing the ex-Marine but the US Treasurys is practically owned by China. As of Jan. 2021, China owns $1.095 trillion of the total $28 trillion U.S. national debt. Then there are the infrastructural aviation businesses. How much property does China own in the United States? How many companies in the U.S. are owned by China?
Will the same Washington court unseal charges against those in the system that allow US undermining.
Russ,
How could a DEAD Marine have done all that ?
What really makes me laugh is that South Africa still has favoured trading nation status with the US. It has just sent a ship of artillery shells to Russia too.
Evil lot.