Three Chinese research scholars who were conducting research at the University of Michigan (UM) have been charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and making false statements to federal agents, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
The charges are the latest in a series of cases stemming from UM’s international research activities, specifically involving the laboratory of Xianzhong Xu, commonly known as the Shawn Xu laboratory.
“Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. United States Attorney Gorgon emphasized the severity, stating, “At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan.”
The three men charged were Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30. All three were research scholars holding J-1 visas.
- Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States.
- Zhiyong Zhang was charged with making false statements to federal agents.
According to the criminal complaint, Bai and F. Zhang allegedly received multiple shipments containing concealed biological materials related to roundworms in 2024 and 2025. The materials were sent from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by Chengxuan Han, a PRC citizen and former Ph.D. student who had also worked at the UM lab.
Han recently pleaded no contest to three counts of smuggling and one count of false statements, was sentenced, and has since been removed from the United States.
Following Han’s arrest and removal, UM initiated an internal investigation into the Shawn Xu laboratory. The three defendants were terminated after they refused to attend a mandatory meeting or participate in the investigation, making them eligible for removal by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The defendants purchased airline tickets to depart for the PRC from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) on October 20, 2025. However, after federal agents attempted to locate them on October 10, they rebooked their flights and ultimately attempted to board a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on October 16.
During an inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at JFK:
- Zhiyong Zhang allegedly made false statements about Han.
- Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang admitted to CBP officers that they had received packages from Han, even after her arrest or removal.
Federal agencies involved—including ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, and CBP—stressed their commitment to national security.
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons noted the case “underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs.” He urged educational institutions to “enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation.”
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the FBI and its partners “will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who violate our laws, and that academic research cannot excuse illegal activity.”
The collective statements from law enforcement officials emphasized a commitment to defending the homeland and preventing the exploitation of American institutions for unlawful purposes.
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