California Spy Arrest

California Realtor Arrested at LAX for Alleged Espionage Targeting Taiwan President's Family

California realtor, Wanying Zhang, has been arrested at LAX for allegedly spying on a Taiwanese official's family for Beijing. Zhang, known as "Heather," allegedly worked with an associate to photograph and record the family outside their Seattle-area home. She was arrested on a federal charge of acting as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China. Zhang allegedly traveled to Seattle in 2025 at the direction of Chinese officials and sent them photos, videos and license plate information. The alleged target was Ting-Yu Lai, the U.S.-based son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. The FBI has issued a warning to foreign adversaries that America is no longer a safe place to operate espionage operations.