California woman accused of spying for China fights detention with $820K in proposed security

A California real estate agent accused of gathering intelligence on a relative of Taiwan's president for the Chinese government sought release from federal custody Wednesday, offering more than $800,000 in property equity and financial guarantees while disputing prosecutors' claims that she posed a flight risk.

Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, argued through her attorney that her American citizenship, family ties and history of returning from overseas trips demonstrated she would appear for future court proceedings, according to a nine-page defense filing obtained by Fox News Digital.

Zhang was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport while preparing to board a flight to China. She faces a federal charge of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

This photo provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows Wanying Zhang being 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 has worked in Orange County real estate for approximately 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, his sister, his father and a family friend.

This undated photo released by the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, shows Wanying Zhang. (U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California via AP)

Harbaugh also proposed GPS-monitored home detention, surrendering travel documents, electronic-device monitoring and restrictions on entering airports or contacting individuals connected to the case.

The defense acknowledged that Pretrial Services recommended detention over 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 significance of her one-way ticket to China, arguing that she frequently booked international trips using separately purchased outbound and return flights.

According to the filing, Zhang had traveled to China, France and Japan during the past year and returned to the United States after each trip.

The defense said her planned October trip was intended to visit her mother and had been postponed until after her daughters' birthdays.

The underlying criminal complaint alleges Zhang participated in a September 2025 surveillance operation outside the Seattle-area residence of a close relative of a Taiwanese government official.

According to an FBI affidavit, investigators reviewed security-camera footage allegedly showing Zhang and another individual photographing the person and family members near their home.

Travelers exit a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)

Federal authorities also alleged that Zhang transmitted photographs, video and vehicle information to a suspected Chinese government official through electronic communications.

Investigators said Zhang attended China's University of International Relations in Beijing, which the FBI described as closely associated with China's intelligence apparatus.

Zhang's attorneys contest the charge and maintain that she intends to establish her innocence.

She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.