US Charges 2 Chinese Nationals With Smuggling Crop-Killing Fungus, Visa Fraud

One of the suspects allegedly got Chinese regime funding to study Fusarium graminearum, a potential agroterror weapon.

In 2024, a Chinese scientist entered the United States with these toxic plant pathogens stashed in his backpack, federal authorities said on June 3, 2025, as they filed charges against him and a girlfriend who worked in a University of Michigan lab. United States District Court For The Eastern District Of Michigan via AP

Two Chinese citizens, including one who works at the University of Michigan, were charged on June 2 with visa fraud, conspiracy, making false statements, and smuggling a pathogen into the United States.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced the charges on June 3, ahead of defendant Yunqing Jian’s appearance in federal court.