Grimy Times Exclusive: Xuemei Zhao, 54, a Chinese national residing in the United States illegally, was sentenced to time served (approximately one year in prison) after attempting to check an undeclared .357 Magnum revolver and ammunition at the Provo Airport in Utah.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson Jr. on May 8, 2026, following Zhao’s guilty plea on April 29, 2025 to possession of a firearm by a restricted person (alien).
According to court documents and admissions made at Zhao’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on March 20, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a black Rossi Braztech Int’l .357 Magnum revolver pistol in Zhao’s checked luggage. Prior to delivering the suitcase to American Airlines, Zhao did not disclose the presence of the firearm to TSA or American Airlines. In addition to the firearm, Zhao had 9 rounds of .357 ammunition in her carry-on luggage. $10,900 in cash was also found hidden in her luggage.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was contacted and confirmed that Zhao arrived on a tourist visa, had a pending asylum application, and was not a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Zhao’s sentence was enhanced under the United States Sentencing Guidelines because the Court found that Zhao possessed the firearm in connection with other illegal conduct, commercial sex work.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Provo Resident Agency. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Assistant United States Attorney Michael Kennedy of the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the federal government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Xuemei Zhao, 54, a resident of the People’s Republic of China, was residing in the United States illegally. She pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a restricted person (alien) on April 29, 2025. Zhao will now be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.
Xuemei Zhao was sentenced to time served, approximately one year in prison. She was found with a black Rossi Braztech Int’l .357 Magnum revolver pistol in her checked luggage and 9 rounds of .357 ammunition in her carry-on luggage. $10,900 in cash was also discovered in her luggage.
Defendant: Xuemei Zhao
Criminal Charges: Possession of a firearm by a restricted person (alien)
City and State: Provo, Utah
Exact Date: March 20, 2025 (crime date), April 29, 2025 (plea date), May 8, 2026 (sentencing date)
Sentence or Outcome: Time served (approximately one year in prison)
Dollar Amounts: $10,900
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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