DETROIT – Chengxuan HAN, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was sentenced today to time served (3 months) after having pleaded guilty to three smuggling charges and to making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
According to court documents, Han is a citizen of the PRC who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from the College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan, PRC. In 2024 and 2025, Han sent multiple packages to the United States from the PRC containing concealed biological material. These packages were addressed to individuals associated with a laboratory at the University of Michigan.
On June 8, 2025, Han arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a J1 visa. Customs and Border Protection officers conducted an inspection of Han, during which Han made false statements about the packages and the biological materials she had previously shipped to the United States. CBP officers also found that the content of Han’s electronic device had been deleted three days prior to her arrival in the United States.
At the conclusion of the border inspection, Han was interviewed by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ICE HSI. During this interview, Han admitted to sending the packages, admitted that the packages contained biological material related to round worms, and admitted to making false statements to the CBP officers during her inspection.
United States Attorney Gorgon stated, “It is a privilege to study at one of our elite institutions. Aliens should not be abusing our hospitality by smuggling unknown biomaterials into America and then lying about it. The folks who keep us safe must know what aliens like the defendant are bringing into our country. And these convictions are a small but important step in that direction.
Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said, Today’s sentencing reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting Americans from individuals who attempt to illegally import biological materials into our country. I would like to thank the dedicated members of the FBI Detroit Field Office, alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ICE HSI, who played a vital role in this investigation.
Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon stated, While the criminal outcome could have been far worse for Ms. Han, she will be removed from the U.S. and barred from reentry as the result of her actions. This case serves as another example of the interagency effort put forth each day to protect our homeland from a growing number of threats from beyond our borders.
ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz said, Smuggling biological materials into the United States poses a serious threat, and HSI remains committed to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt such activities. This case highlights the importance of collaboration among federal agencies to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.
The FBI, CBP and ICE HSI investigated this case.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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