Fremont man sentenced to prison for illegally importing powerful headlights

A 44-year-old Fremont man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegally importing automobile headlights that didn’t meet U.S. safety standards, a scheme that federal authorities say lasted for 13 years.

Chu-chiang Ho, also known as Kevin Ho, was also ordered to forfeit $1.7 million as part of U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar’s sentence handed down Friday in U.S. District Court in Oakland.

Ho will be placed on a three year period of supervised release after serving his prison term. Prosecutors argued for a two-year sentence, writing in court records Ho “created a public safety hazard” with the “dangerously bright” lights.

In a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ho admitted that the headlights he imported from China were a safety hazard because they were brighter than allowed.

“Ho also admitted in his plea agreement that he acted to conceal his scheme. He worked with suppliers to mischaracterize the merchandise he imported in documents provided to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deceive that agency into believing the merchandise was legal,” a news release by the U.S. Attorney’s office says. “Ho also changed company names numerous times to avoid detection and listed a variety of family members as corporate officers of his companies despite maintaining his control over the business at all times.”

Defense attorneys argued for 18 months of house arrest, as well as a fine and community service, arguing that jail was not necessary to punish Ho.

The defense sentencing briefs included numerous support letters that vouched for Ho’s character.

“While Mr. Ho acknowledges that his conduct in importing prohibited headlights and the accompanying wire apparatuses occurred for a number of years, his business is otherwise lawful and the company sold and sells perfectly legal, varied consumer products,” Ho’s attorney, William Keane, wrote in court records.