An Irvine woman accused of tracking a Taiwanese official’s relative for the Chinese government was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport as she tried to leave for China, federal prosecutors said.
The woman, Wanying Zhang, 34, goes by “Heather.” She is named in a federal complaint that accuses her of acting as China’s agent without registering. FBI agents in Los Angeles made the arrest, and prosecutors announced the case in a post on X from U.S. Attorney Essayli’s account.
The trip at the center of the case took place in 2025. An affidavit alleges Zhang went to Seattle that year on instructions from Chinese officials and watched a close relative of a Taiwanese government official. She then sent photos, video and license plate details back to those officials, according to the filing.
She set up the trip with an associate and relied on tradecraft to avoid being noticed, the affidavit says.
Prosecutors say Zhang never told the attorney general she was working for a foreign government. Failing to do so is a federal crime.
Zhang is expected in federal court in Los Angeles for her initial appearance the day after her arrest.
As with any defendant, she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
