Xuemei Zhao Sentenced for Attempted Firearm Smuggling at Provo Airport

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Xuemei Zhao, 54, of the People’s Republic of China, who was residing in the United States illegally, was sentenced to time served after she attempted to check a suitcase with an undeclared .357 Magnum revolver and ammunition, at the Provo Airport.

The investigation revealed that Zhao was attempting to smuggle the firearm and ammunition through a domestic flight originating from the Provo Airport. Her actions were in direct defiance of federal regulations and laws governing the transportation of firearms.

On [insert date], Zhao was arrested and charged with Attempted Smuggling of a Firearm, a felony offense. Her case was prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

“The sentencing of Xuemei Zhao serves as a reminder that our nation’s borders are not a joke, and those who attempt to smuggle firearms will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said [insert name], US Attorney for the District of Utah.

The Provo Airport incident is yet another example of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to prevent the smuggling of firearms and other prohibited items through our nation’s airports and borders.

Xuemei Zhao’s sentence serves as a cautionary tale for those who would seek to circumvent our nation’s laws and regulations. Her time served will be a minimum of one year, a stark reminder of the consequences of her actions.

The US Department of Justice remains committed to upholding the integrity of our nation’s laws and protecting the American public from those who would seek to harm them through the smuggling of firearms and other prohibited items.