A California real estate broker accused of conducting surveillance on a relative of Taiwan’s president on behalf of China asked a federal judge Wednesday to release her from custody. Wanying Zhang offered more than $800,000 in property equity and financial backing from family members, while challenging prosecutors’ argument that she might flee.
Zhang, 34, of Irvine, said her U.S. citizenship, close family connections and record of returning from international travel showed she would appear for future hearings. Her attorney made the argument in a nine-page filing obtained by News Outlet.
Federal agents arrested Zhang Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport as she prepared to board a flight bound for China. She has been charged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation provided this image of Wanying Zhang following her arrest Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
In the filing, attorney Craig Harbaugh said Zhang arrived in the United States in 2014, became a naturalized American citizen in 2020 and has spent roughly 10 years working in Orange County’s real estate industry.
She shares an Irvine home with her husband and their daughters, who are 8 and 5, according to the defense.
As part of a proposed bail package, Zhang would pledge an Irvine property containing at least $700,000 in equity. Her husband, his sister, his father and a family friend would also provide a combined $120,000 in financial guarantees.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California released this undated photograph of Wanying Zhang on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California via AP)
Harbaugh proposed placing Zhang under GPS-monitored home confinement. The conditions would also require her to surrender her travel documents, submit to electronic-device monitoring and stay away from airports and people linked to the investigation.
The defense acknowledged that Pretrial Services had recommended keeping Zhang detained because of concerns she might not return for court. Her lawyers argued, however, that a tightly supervised release plan could sufficiently reduce that risk.
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They also rejected the prosecution’s suggestion that Zhang’s one-way ticket to China indicated an intent to flee. The filing said she routinely arranged international travel by purchasing separate tickets for her departure and return.
Zhang traveled to China, France and Japan over the previous year, the lawyers said, returning to the United States after each journey.
Her planned October trip, according to the defense, was meant to visit her mother. Zhang delayed the trip until after her two daughters’ birthdays, the filing said.
The criminal complaint stems from an alleged surveillance mission in September 2025 outside the Seattle-area home of a close relative of a Taiwanese government official.
An FBI affidavit says investigators examined home-security video that appeared to show Zhang and another person photographing the relative and family members near the residence.
Travelers make their way out of a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)
Federal prosecutors further allege that Zhang sent photographs, video footage and details about vehicles to a person suspected of working for the Chinese government through electronic communications.
Investigators also pointed to Zhang’s education at Beijing’s University of International Relations, describing the school as having close ties to China’s intelligence services.
Zhang’s attorneys deny the allegations and say she plans to prove her innocence in court.
If convicted, Zhang could receive a federal prison sentence of up to 10 years.
