Great Lakes Wire

Yunqing Jian, a 33-year-old citizen of China, pleaded guilty to smuggling a biological pathogen into the United States and lying to FBI agents about her actions. She was sentenced to time served, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

Jian was arrested in June after allegations surfaced that she and her co-defendant, Zunyong Liu, brought Fusarium graminearum—a fungus responsible for “head blight” in crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice—into the country. The disease causes significant economic damage globally each year. The toxins produced by Fusarium graminearum can also cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues in humans and livestock.

Court records show that Jian received funding from the Chinese government for her research on this pathogen while in China. Investigators found information on Jian’s electronic devices indicating her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. Liu, who is Jian’s boyfriend and works at a university in China conducting similar research on Fusarium graminearum, initially denied but later admitted to smuggling the fungus through Detroit Metropolitan Airport so he could conduct research at the University of Michigan laboratory where Jian worked.

“We must stop Chinese Nationals who are smuggling potentially catastrophic biomaterials. We cannot allow these smugglers to work in the shadows at the University of Michigan. This felony conviction and sentence are a small but important measure against secret biological threats from China. We remain thankful for the work of our elite federal partners—ICE, HSI, FBI, and CBP,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

"Today’s guilty plea underscores the critical role CBP plays in protecting the United States from biological threats that could endanger public health and harm our agricultural economy,” said CBP Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon. “This case highlights the dangers posed by individuals attempting to smuggle potentially hazardous materials into the country, even under the guise of academic research. The successful resolution of this complex investigation, involving CBP offices nationwide and our federal partners, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing America’s borders and safeguarding national security. I commend the dedication and expertise of all those involved in bringing this case to justice."

“Smuggling biological pathogens into the United States from China is a threat to the citizens of Michigan and America as a whole,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “FBI Detroit works around the clock to disrupt any threats to national security no matter when and from where they come. This outcome would not be possible without the exceptional efforts of the FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations and HSI.”

The case was investigated by both FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.