One University of Michigan affiliated allegedly smuggled in crop fungus, another brought in ‘biological material related to round worm’
Two University of Michigan affiliates will remain in jail for the time being, following related federal charges for allegedly bringing in biological “weapons.”
Yunqing Jian, a research fellow at the university’s Shan Lab, is accused of bringing in “Fusarium graminearum,” a crop fungus which experts call an “agroterrorism weapon,” according to the Department of Justice. Soon after federal officials charged Jian (pictured, left) and her boyfriend, they also brought similar charges against Chengxuan Han.
Han (pictured, right) a “visiting scholar” at the university, is accused of shipping packages which “contained biological material related to round worm,” into the U.S., according to the DOJ.
The pair “will remain in custody after waiving their right to a hearing in separate court appearances in Detroit on June 13,” The Epoch Times reported.
“On Friday, the two defendants said they would not challenge prosecutors’ request to keep them in detention while their cases progress,” The Epoch Times, which regularly covers stories about the Chinese Communist Party, reported.
Law enforcement officials and political leaders have raised alarms about the allegations, as noted by the Epoch Times.
Commenting on the arrest of Han, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote: “This case is part of a broader effort from the FBI and our federal partners to heavily crack down on similar [pathogen] smuggling operations, as the CCP works relentlessly to undermine America’s research institutions.”
Never forget: the CCP is ACTIVELY trying to undermine the U.S. and DESTROY our country.
Thank you @FBI, @FBIDirectorKash. https://t.co/X4WQuCTJXK
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) June 10, 2025
Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst similarly weighed in on the situation.
“A THIRD Chinese national has been caught smuggling a potential bioweapon into America,” she wrote, commenting on Han’s arrest. “Food security is national security, and I am working to ensure America is safe from the threat posed by Communist China right here in our own backyard.”
Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw said “smuggling pathogens” is a “strategic” decision.
“This is what asymmetric warfare looks like,” Rep. Crenshaw wrote on X.
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IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDITS: Accused Chinese University of Michigan researchers Yungqing Jian and Chengxuan Han; University of Michigan; Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office