LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — A federal judge ordered an Irvine real estate agent accused of conducting surveillance for China to remain in custody Wednesday, rejecting her defense’s proposed financial guarantees and monitoring conditions.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve Kim sided with prosecutors who argued that Wanying “Heather” Zhang posed a flight risk because of her financial resources and connections in China.
FBI agents arrested Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday before she could board a flight to China. She faces one count of acting as an agent of the Chinese government without notifying the U.S. attorney general.
Prosecutors allege Zhang monitored the U.S.-based family of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the direction of Chinese officials.
Her attorney, Craig Harbaugh, argued that Zhang’s husband, two young daughters and home in Southern California gave her strong reasons to remain. The defense offered home equity and financial guarantees from relatives and a family friend.
Harbaugh also proposed GPS-monitored home detention, surrender of travel documents, electronic-device monitoring and restrictions on entering airports or contacting people connected to the case.
Prosecutors countered that Zhang’s parents and siblings live in China and that her brother has a history of working with the Chinese government. Her lawyers argued that the surveillance allegation centered on a single day and did not demonstrate that she would flee.
The Justice Department alleges Zhang traveled to China in June last year, met government officials and received instructions to conduct surveillance in the United States.
The complaint says Zhang and another person traveled through Las Vegas to the Pacific Northwest in September, then went to the family’s residence. Investigators allege she communicated with a Chinese official during the operation and transmitted vehicle license plate information.
Zhang’s lawyers say she intends to establish her innocence at trial. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison.
The detention ruling does not determine guilt. The charge remains an allegation, and Zhang is presumed innocent.
