SEATTLE (AP) - A New Zealand man charged with trying to buy devices used on airplanes, spacecraft and missiles in the U.S. so he could sell them to China faces a federal trial.

William Ali is accused of attempting to violate the Arms Export Control Act. The device, called an accelerometer, is designed to help with aircraft navigation.

Ali was arrested at a Seattle hotel in April after he met with an undercover Homeland Security agent to purchase the devices before taking them to China. Ali’s lawyer says this is a case of entrapment. He says the federal agent induced Ali to come to the U.S. to commit a crime.

Opening statements were scheduled for Monday afternoon after a jury is selected. His trial is in U.S. District Court is expected to run three days.

|  Washington Times  |