Federal prosecutors have indicted Wanying Zhang, a 34-year-old California resident, on charges of conducting surveillance on a son of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for Chinese officials.
The indictment, filed October 9 in the US District Court for the Central District of California, accuses Zhang of conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
According to court documents cited by NBC News, the alleged surveillance occurred between June and September 2025.
Zhang, also known as Heather, allegedly photographed and recorded the unidentified man's residence in the Seattle area, collected license plate information, and transmitted the material to a suspected Chinese government contact.
Prosecutors claim Zhang traveled from California through Las Vegas to the Seattle region to carry out the surveillance.
An unnamed former classmate at China's University of International Relations allegedly directed her activities.
The FBI has described the institution as closely affiliated with China's intelligence apparatus.
The indictment also alleges that Zhang visited China in August 2025 to meet a Chinese government official.
She returned to the United States days later and indicated that she expected to visit the target's location the following week.
According to Fox News, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli described Chinese espionage as a significant national security concern during an interview following Zhang's arrest.
He said US authorities had pursued several cases involving suspected Chinese agents in recent months.
Essayli told Fox News Digital, "I think it's extremely pervasive," referring to alleged Chinese spying in the United States.
He argued that Beijing was investing resources in recruiting people inside the country and advancing its interests through espionage.
Essayli also said federal agencies needed to remain vigilant and disrupt suspected intelligence operations.
He cited the FBI's dedicated investigative teams and his office's role in supporting investigations and bringing criminal charges.
In a separate statement reported by Fox News, Essayli said Zhang allegedly coordinated the surveillance trip with an associate and used techniques intended to avoid detection.
Authorities arrested her at Los Angeles International Airport as she attempted to board a flight to China.
CBS News reported that Zhang traveled with Fatai Miao, a 54-year-old business associate.
The outlet's investigation identified connections between individuals associated with Zhang and people implicated in separate international criminal investigations.
However, those connections do not establish Zhang's involvement in the separate alleged offenses.
CBS News also reported that prosecutors raised allegations concerning an unlicensed currency exchange operation and approximately $190,000 in profits allegedly transferred to Zhang's Chinese bank account.
The government did not publicly connect her to the separate alleged drug-money-laundering operation described in earlier proceedings.
Miao has not been charged with a crime in connection with the separate money-laundering complaint discussed by CBS News.
The outlet reported that he had business connections with individuals associated with a Cambodian organization accused by US authorities of operating forced-labor scam compounds.
The organization has denied the allegations against it.
Zhang's defense attorney, Craig Harbaugh, previously challenged the government's account of her activities.
During a court hearing on October 7, he disputed the allegation that his client had secretly worked as an intelligence operative for years while maintaining her family life and real estate career.
Chinese officials have also rejected accusations of anti-China bias in the broader case.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said he was not familiar with the situation following Zhang's arrest and opposed what he characterized as attempts to portray China as responsible for espionage without sufficient grounds.
Separately, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, rejected accusations from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities concerning alleged transnational suppression.
According to China Daily, Chen said the accusations were groundless and criticized Taiwan officials for using the case to increase cross-strait tensions.
Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that China claims as its territory.
The United States maintains no formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan but is required by law to support its ability to defend itself, according to the background cited by NBC News.
A US magistrate judge ordered Zhang detained before trial after prosecutors argued that she posed a flight risk.
The US Bureau of Prisons' website listed her as remaining in custody, and she was scheduled to appear in federal district court for a post-indictment arraignment on Friday.
If convicted on the charges described in the indictment, Zhang could face up to 15 years in prison.
