US charges 3 Chinese nationals from Michigan University with conspiracy to smuggle bioweapon

Three Chinese national research scholars, all formerly affiliated with a laboratory at the University of Michigan (U-M), have been charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States and making false statements to federal authorities.

The charges represent the latest action in what US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. described as an “alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan.”

The defendants, identified as Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30, were research scholars conducting work at the U-M laboratory of Xianzhong Xu.

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Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the US, whereas 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 sent from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

These shipments were reportedly sent by Chengxuan Han, a PRC citizen and Ph.D. candidate who had previously worked at the same U-M lab. Han recently pleaded no contest to smuggling and false statement charges, was sentenced, and subsequently removed from the country.

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Botched escapes and tall tales

Following Han’s arrest, U-M initiated an internal investigation into the lab. All three defendants refused to participate and were terminated, making them eligible for removal by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The defendants subsequently attempted to flee the United States, rebooking flights multiple times before attempting to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to the PRC on October 16, 2025.

During inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at JFK, Zhiyong Zhang allegedly made false statements about Chengxuan Han. Bai and F. Zhang admitted to CBP officers they had continued to receive packages from Han even after her arrest and removal from the US.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stressed the seriousness of the offence, stating, “Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security.”