Sushi John: New Jersey Restaurant ‘Sushi John’ arrested with snow on spying for Chinese government
A New Jersey RestaurantThe first Chinese government was convicted of acting as an unregistered agent, now in the custody of US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE), which is facing potential exile.
Ming Xi ZhangA 61 -year -old Chinese national and owner Yes or noodles In Montgomery townshipThe New York Post was arrested on 24 March in Newark, New Jersey.
Zhang is widely known as “Sushi John” in his community, convicted for working as a Chinese agent in 2016 in May 2021, without informing the American Attorney General, a direct violation Foreign agent registration act,
According to ICE, Zhang entered the legally through Los Angeles International Airport in June 2000, but later “violated the terms of their legitimate entry.”
According to Fairus.org, Zhang accepted to hold a meeting with the Chinese safety operators in Bahamas in 2016 and later distributed $ 35,000 to a person in New Jersey. They also hosted a host Chinese government agent Twice at your Princeton-region’s house. Their activities are partially in privacy as the court records are sealed.
On April 30, 2024, Zhang was sentenced by a federal judge for a three -year probation and fined $ 10,000. After the 2021 petition, his release on a $ 150,000 bond came with the condition that he could be removed from the US.
“Any illegal foreign activities related to espionage, sabotage or export control against the United States are under exile,” said John Tskaris, director of the Ice Newarark Field Office, said.
Now he is being held on Elizabeth Detention Center As he waits for immigration proceedings. Despite serious allegations, Zhang’s restaurant remains open and local support appears strong. “The whole city has been really helpful,” a staff member was said by New York Post. The member said, “Everyone is coming in, offering the phone number, talking to his family.”
Zhang’s case comes amidst the effort of a broad Trump administration to tighten immigration enforcement and remove individuals who understand national security threats. Similar arrests have expressed concern about the growing pattern of Chinese citizens trying to reach sensitive American sites, including military bases, according to Fairus.org.
The Homeland Security Department recently warned that Chinese-made internet-connected devices, such as surveillance cameras, could be exploited or exploited to disrupt American infrastructure.
