IU Biology Researcher Sentenced, Deported for Smuggling E. Coli DNA From China

Indiana Researcher Sentenced For Smuggling E. Coli DNA Into U.S. From China As Underwear - Tampa Free Press

A 32-year-old former Indiana University researcher will head to federal prison followed by an immediate flight back to China after a bizarre smuggling plot involving DNA samples hidden in a shipment of women’s underwear came to light. Youhuang Xiang, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, was sentenced on April 7, 2026, to more […] Indiana Researcher Sentenced For Smuggling E. Coli DNA Into U.S. From China As Underwear

Indiana University postdoctoral fellow Youhuang Xiang sentenced to time served and ordered deported

After over four months of detention, Xiang was coerced into pleading guilty to trumped-up federal charges of smuggling innocuous E. coli plasmid DNA into the United States.

Former IU researcher hid bacteria in women's underwear to dodge customs

Former IU researcher sentenced to prison for smuggling E. coli bacteria from China, hidden in a fake underwear shipment.

Former IU researcher sentenced to prison for smuggling E. coli DNA

Former Indiana University researcher sentenced for smuggling E. coli DNA from China. He received a prison sentence, fine, and will be deported.

IU researcher pleads guilty to smuggling E. coli DNA from China

A former post-doctoral researcher at Indiana University has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to smuggling biologic materials into the U.S. from China.

IU postdoctoral researcher deported after pleading guilty to smuggling E. coli DNA into the US from China

During his sentencing hearing, the FBI presented evidence that Youhuang Xiang was a member of the Chinese Communist Party.