Motorola employee sent down for trade secret theft

Former employee accused by judge of carrying out a 'purposeful raid' on the US company

A former Motorola employee has been thrown in jail for four years after stealing trade secrets worth millions of dollars.

According to the BBC News website Chinese-American Hanjuan Jin, 41, was accused by the judge of carrying out a "very purposeful raid" on the US-based firm.

Prosecutors said she stole more than 1,000 confidential Motorola documents.

Jin was accused of working for SunKaisens, a technology company affiliated with the Chinese military.

In 2007, Jin was stopped by customs at Chicago O'Hare International airport and found with a one-way ticket to China, $30,000 (£19,000) in cash, Motorola documents and Chinese military documents.

In February she was found guilty of stealing trade secrets, the BBC said, but was acquitted of charges of economic espionage.

In sentencing, judge Ruben Castillo said it was important to set a precedent that would prevent others stealing vital information.

Jin will also have to pay a $20,000 fine and will be subject to supervision for three years after she is released from prison.