Ph.D. student from Wuhan, China, receives “time served” sentence but faces removal from the U.S. after admitting to shipping concealed biological materials to a University of Michigan laboratory.
Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was sentenced on Wednesday to time served (three months) after pleading guilty to three charges related to smuggling and making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
According to court documents, Han, a Ph.D. student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan, PRC, sent multiple packages containing concealed biological materials to individuals at a University of Michigan laboratory in 2024 and 2025.
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On June 8, 2025, Han arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a J1 visa. During an inspection by CBP officers, she made false statements about the packages and the biological materials.
Investigators also found that the contents of Han’s electronic device had been deleted three days prior to her arrival in the U.S. In a subsequent interview with the FBI and HSI, Han admitted to sending the packages, which she stated contained biological material related to roundworms, and to lying to CBP officers.
“It is a privilege to study at one of our elite institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon. “Aliens should not be abusing our hospitality by smuggling unknown biomaterials into America and then lying about it. The folks who keep us safe must know what aliens like the defendant are bringing into our country.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman of the FBI Detroit Division emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting Americans from the illegal importation of biological materials. “Today’s sentencing reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting Americans from individuals who attempt to illegally import biological materials into our country,” Coleman said.
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Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon of U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that while the criminal sentence was time served, Han will be removed from the U.S. and barred from re-entry as a result of her actions. “This case serves as another example of the interagency effort put forth each day to protect our homeland from a growing number of threats from beyond our borders,” Raybon said.
Matthew Stentz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Detroit, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of collaboration among federal agencies. “Smuggling biological materials into the United States poses a serious threat, and HSI remains committed to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt such activities,” Stentz said.
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