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A California real estate agent accused of collecting intelligence on a relative of Taiwan’s president on behalf of the Chinese government requested her release from federal custody Wednesday, offering more than $800,000 in real estate value and financial guarantees while disputing prosecutors’ assertions that she was a flight risk.
Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, argued through her attorney that her U.S. citizenship, family ties and history of returning from trips abroad demonstrated that she would present herself for future court proceedings, according to a nine-page defense filing obtained by Fox News Digital.
Zhang was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday as he prepared to board a flight to China. She faces a federal charge for acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
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This photo provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows Wanying Zhang arrested Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
Her attorney, Craig Harbaugh, told the court that Zhang came to the United States in 2014, became a naturalized citizen in 2020 and had worked in Orange County real estate for about a decade.
She lives with her husband and their two daughters, ages 8 and 5, according to the filing.
The defense proposed using an Irvine residence with at least $700,000 in equity to secure her release, along with $120,000 in financial guarantees from her husband, sister, father and a family friend.
This undated photo released by the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California on Monday, October 5, 2026 shows Wanying Zhang. (U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California via AP)
Harbaugh also proposed GPS-monitored house arrest, surrender of travel documents, monitoring of electronic devices and restrictions on entering airports or contacting people connected to the case.
The defense acknowledged that detention services recommended detention due to concerns about Zhang’s potential failure to appear in court, but argued that strict release conditions would adequately address those concerns.
Zhang’s lawyers also disputed the importance of her one-way ticket to China, arguing that she frequently booked international trips using separately purchased round-trip flights.
According to the filing, Zhang had traveled to China, France and Japan over the past year and returned to the United States after each trip.
The defense said his planned October trip was to visit his mother and was rescheduled until after his daughters’ birthday.
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The underlying criminal complaint alleges that Zhang participated in a surveillance operation in September 2025 outside the Seattle-area residence of a close relative of a Taiwanese government official.
According to an FBI affidavit, investigators reviewed security camera footage showing Zhang and another individual photographing the person and his family members near their home.
Travelers exit a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport Monday, March 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)
Federal authorities also alleged that Zhang transmitted photographs, videos and vehicle information to a suspected Chinese government official through electronic communications.
Investigators said Zhang studied at the China University of International Relations in Beijing, which the FBI described as being closely associated with China’s intelligence apparatus.
Zhang’s lawyers dispute the charges and argue that she intends to establish her innocence.
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She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
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