A California realtor, Wanying Zhang, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by federal authorities while attempting to depart for China. Zhang, also known as “Heather,” is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China. According to the criminal complaint, she allegedly conducted surveillance on a Taiwanese official’s family in the Seattle area.
According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, FBI agents in Los Angeles arrested Zhang. She allegedly took photos, videos, and recorded license plate numbers under instructions from Chinese officials during a visit to Seattle in 2025.
While appearing on “The Big Weekend Show,” Essayli disclosed Zhang’s status as a naturalized U.S. citizen. He stated that her surveillance efforts targeted a relative of Taiwan’s president, operating in the interests of the Chinese government. Zhang’s alleged activities were reportedly aimed at a family member of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that the U.S. is not a safe ground for foreign espionage operations. He affirmed the FBI’s commitment to pursuing national security threats aggressively.
The alleged surveillance target, identified as Ting-Yu Lai by CBS News, corresponds to the U.S.-based son of Taiwan’s president. During surveillance attempts, Zhang reportedly communicated with a Chinese government contact, sending messages and license plate numbers, according to the affidavit.
Evidence indicated Zhang and her associate arrived from Las Vegas in Seattle and conducted surveillance from a rented vehicle. FBI Special Agent Kevin Holt noted Zhang attempted to evade detection by reclining her seat as her companion captured images.
Following the surveillance, Zhang reportedly instructed her associate to use AirDrop to transfer the images, hoping to avoid detection. The associate confirmed deleting the images, which Holt cited as a possible move to destroy evidence.
Investigators suspect Zhang received her assignment during a meeting with a Chinese contact in 2025. Essayli warned about the broader implications, stressing China’s capability to leverage individuals within the U.S.
Zhang’s arrest highlighted ongoing concerns about Chinese influence in the U.S. Her scheduled court appearance in Los Angeles reiterates the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Her arrest comes after similar charges against former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang, who allegedly spread pro-Beijing propaganda.