Two Chinese nationals, Yuance Chen (38) and Liren "Ryan" Lai (39), made initial court appearances in Portland, Oregon, and Houston, Texas.
- They face charges in the Northern District of California for acting as agents of the PRC without notifying the Attorney General.
- Arrested on June 27, 2025, by the FBI as part of a coordinated operation across multiple states.
Charges and Activities
- Defendants are accused of carrying out intelligence tasks for the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).
- Activities included:
- Facilitating a dead-drop payment for U. S. national security information.
- Gathering intelligence on U. S. Navy personnel and bases.
- Attempting to recruit individuals from the U. S. military as MSS assets.
Government Statements
- Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the ongoing threat of Chinese government infiltration into the U. S. military.
- FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the complexity of the case and praised the FBI's counterintelligence efforts.
- Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg affirmed commitment to neutralizing foreign spy networks.
- U. S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian noted the illegal intelligence-gathering operations aimed at U. S. national security.
Collaboration and Investigation
- The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Department of the Navy are actively working to counter foreign intelligence threats.
- The case showcases a collaborative effort among various FBI field offices, including San Francisco, Portland, Houston, and San Diego.
- The National Security and Special Prosecutions Section is overseeing the prosecution.
Details of Alleged Activities
- Lai recruited Chen in 2021 to assist the MSS.
- In January 2022, they facilitated a dead-drop payment of over $10,000 in Livermore, California.
- Chen engaged in activities to identify potential MSS recruits within the U. S. Navy.
- Specific tasks for Chen included visiting Navy installations and gathering personal information about recruits.
Travel and Recruitment Efforts
- Chen traveled to MSS meetings in Guangzhou in 2024 and 2025 to discuss duties and compensation.
- Lai entered the U. S. on a tourist visa under the pretense of running an online retail business.
- Their travels involved cross-state movements, including a trip from Houston to Southern California.
Legal Implications
- Charged under Title 18, United States Code, Section 951 for acting as agents of a foreign government without notifying authorities.
- Possible penalties include a fine of up to $250,000 and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
- A criminal complaint is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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