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Shocking Series of Random Attacks: Avid Runner Targeted by Notorious Repeat Offender

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Shocking Series of Random Attacks: Avid Runner Targeted by Notorious Repeat Offender

A 40-year-old dedicated runner became a victim of a violent spree in Georgia, where she was both stabbed and shot by a suspect with a criminal history.

Lauren Bullis, an enthusiastic 40-year-old runner, was among several victims targeted in a series of attacks on Monday in DeKalb County, Georgia. Authorities have apprehended 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel in connection with these consecutive assaults.

“This attack appears to be entirely random,” stated Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley during a press briefing on Monday.

Lauren Bullis holding up a running medal

Lauren Bullis, who frequently showcased her passion for running and shared her race experiences on social media, was identified as one of the victims. (Facebook/Lauren Bullis)

The violent events unfolded early Monday morning, around 12:50 a.m., when DeKalb County Police responded to a report of a woman who had been shot multiple times on Wesley Chapel Road. Unfortunately, the woman succumbed to her injuries later, and her identity has not yet been released by the authorities.

The violence then shifted to Brookhaven, where a man was ambushed and shot several times while sleeping outside a business center on Peachtree Road. He remains in critical condition.

The spree reached a horrific conclusion around 6:50 a.m. on Battle Forest Drive. There, 40-year-old Bullis was found both shot and stabbed in a vicious attack. Witnesses, police said, reported seeing a man standing over her before he fled the scene. Bullis did not survive her injuries.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel

Olaolukitan Adon Abel has been charged in Brookhaven with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, with further charges related to the DeKalb County incidents expected. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)

Adel was captured in Troup County after law enforcement used license plate recognition cameras to track his silver Volkswagen Jetta, police said.

He is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in Brookhaven, with further charges expected across the jurisdiction.

Records reviewed by FOX 5 Atlanta show that Adel is no stranger to the legal system. He was arrested last fall for sexual battery in Chatham County and was sentenced to jail time and probation, which included a requirement for a mental health evaluation.

Lauren Bullis at a RunDisney event

Lauren Bullis, 40, was one of the two victims killed in an alleged spree of attacks in DeKalb County, Georgia on Monday, April 13. (Facebook/Lauren Bullis)

Bullis’ social media accounts showed that the 40-year-old Georgia woman was an avid runner, posting photos of participating in recent races.

In a Facebook post, her cousin, Lee Renfroe, wrote that Bullis was “such a special person.”

“My cousin Lauren Bullis was brutally murdered in a series of violent attacks in the Decatur GA area,” he wrote. “We love you and miss you Lauren. Please say a prayer for our families as well as the families of the other victims. I don’t even know how to completely put my thoughts together right now.”

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Stepmom Accused of Using Salt and Hot Sauce in Disturbing Punishment of Young Child, Say Police

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Stepmom Accused of Using Salt and Hot Sauce in Disturbing Punishment of Young Child, Say Police

Inset: Melirose Joncky (Broward County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Broward Health Medical Center in Florida where Melirose Joncky’s stepdaughter was taken for treatment after being allegedly abused by her (Google Maps).

In a harrowing case out of Florida, a woman is facing serious accusations of abuse against her 8-year-old stepdaughter, allegedly inflicting such severe harm that the young girl required hospitalization. Authorities report that the woman, identified as Melirose Joncky, subjected the child to shocking cruelty, including pouring salt and hot sauce into her mouth and using her back as a makeshift trampoline.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office revealed details from Joncky’s arrest report on Tuesday. The document, which includes statements from the stepdaughter, accuses Joncky of walking on the girl’s back and jumping on her, actions that inflicted significant pain. These charges have led to Joncky, aged 42, being arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect.

The arrest report also describes a disturbing incident where Joncky allegedly grabbed the child’s head and forcefully slammed it into the ground, leaving a large abrasion on her forehead. The girl further recounted to police that Joncky used phone chargers as weapons, striking her and causing multiple cuts and bruises across her arms, legs, back, and face.

In addition to these allegations, the young girl reported being choked by Joncky to the point of breathlessness. The stepdaughter also described prior episodes where she was struck with kitchen utensils, including being hit on the head with a knife and a pot.

As if these acts weren’t horrific enough, the arrest report notes that Joncky allegedly forced the girl to consume an entire bottle of hot sauce and a mouthful of salt as forms of punishment. These chilling details paint a grim picture of the alleged abuse suffered by the child under Joncky’s care.

The abuse came to light after an elementary school counselor called the sheriff’s office and told them the daughter had come in with “two black eyes, a large contusion on her forehead, dried blood coming from her ears and multiple scratches on her arms and neck,” according to the arrest report.

The girl was taken to Coral Springs Medical Center and then transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment, per the sheriff’s office. She was treated for fractured ribs, fractures in her arm and feet, and scalp hematomas.

Police say the girl told investigators that Joncky would “pour hot sauce on her injuries.” Doctors reported that she had ligature marks “consistent with a phone cord,” according to the arrest report.

After receiving her Miranda rights, Joncky was questioned about the alleged abuse and denied getting physical with her stepdaughter. “She stated that [the victim] had acne, which was the cause of her injuries,” according to the arrest report. “When asked about the black eyes, she claimed that [the victim] had accidentally run into a wall.”

Joncky appeared in court last Friday and was ordered held without bond.

“I’ve never read anything like this,” the judge overseeing her case said, according to local ABC affiliate WPLG. “Based upon what’s alleged in [the report], I’ve got serious concerns for the safety of the victim.”

Joncky’s next court date has not been set.

Urgent Appeal: Dogs Face Uncertain Future After ‘One of the Worst’ Attacks Shocks Community

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Urgent Appeal: Dogs Face Uncertain Future After ‘One of the Worst’ Attacks Shocks Community
The fate of two dogs responsible for killing another dog and seriously injuring its owner is still to be decided. 

A woman and her small dog were ambushed by two larger dogs during a walk on Sycamore Rise in Dianella this past Saturday. The incident was caught on CCTV.

The City of Stirling has taken custody of the two unleashed dogs while the 49-year-old victim receives treatment in the hospital.

A neighbour rushed over to help and broke up the dogs using a stick. (9News)

“This ranks among the most severe dog attacks I’ve come across,” remarked Hannah Dreaver, the chief operating officer of RSPCA WA, earlier today.

Dog attacks remain a significant issue for councils in Perth, occurring weekly and resulting in hundreds of hospital visits annually.

“We’re seeing an increase in both the severity and frequency of these attacks,” noted Tim Howeling, a lawyer from Cornerstone Legal.

” … A person charged with a dog attack faces a maximum fine of $10,000.”

The injured woman could even pursue her own legal action. 

Dianella dog attack
A neighbour rushed over to help and broke up the dogs using a stick. (9News)
Dianella dog attack
Two dogs were roaming free in Dianella before lashing out at the owner and pet on an early morning walk. (9News)

“They [the owners] may be considered to be liable in criminal injuries compensation and they may also be the subject of civil action to recoup from them the losses from the person who is the victim of the attack may have suffered,” Howeling said.

The City of Stirling is working to gather statements from those involved, including the dogs’ owner, before a decision is made on what will happen to them. 

They’ll either be returned to the owner or kept by the council, facing the possibility of being put down. 

“The question is whether or not that dog is able to be safely rehomed with the persons who were originally the owners of the dog,” Howling said.

Dianella dog attack
The traumatised owner suffered serious arm injures in the attack, while her beloved dog couldn’t be saved. (9News)

The RSPCA urged owners to socialise their dogs early. 

“We really encourage owners to keep their dogs confined to their property and to also understand where their dogs are at all times,” Dreaver said.

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Gas Station Shooting in Thomson Leaves Three Injured; Police Launch Investigation

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Gas Station Shooting in Thomson Leaves Three Injured; Police Launch Investigation


THOMSON, Ga. () – On the evening of Monday, April 13th, at approximately 8:20 p.m., the Thomson Police Department was dispatched to a BP gas station situated at 418 Jackson Street.

Responding officers were alerted to gunfire at the location, which had resulted in injuries to two individuals. Before reaching the scene, they received further information that a third individual had also been injured and was taken to McDuffie Piedmont in a private vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that 17-year-old Omarion Dove of White Oak Ext, along with a juvenile, had both sustained gunshot wounds to their lower bodies.

Medical personnel transported both Dove and the juvenile to Wellstar for treatment.

Meanwhile, at Piedmont McDuffie, officers found Raymond Lowe of Robin Street, who had also been shot in the lower part of his body. He was subsequently transferred to Wellstar for additional medical care.

At that time Dove, Lowe, and the juvenile’s injuries were described as serious but non-life threatening.

This case is still under investigation and further details will be forthcoming when available.

No suspect information has been released.

Experienced Wide Receiver Strengthens Illini Roster

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Experienced Wide Receiver Strengthens Illini Roster


CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois football team is gearing up for the 2026 season with a dynamic blend of experienced players and fresh talent in their wide receiver lineup.

The departure of Hank Beatty, who was a pivotal player last year leading in both receptions and receiving yards, marks a significant change. Nevertheless, the Illini have retained two of their top receivers from last year’s impressive nine-win season. Collin Dixon and Hudson Clement are set to anchor the receiving corps, providing continuity and leadership on the field.

However, the team will feel the absence of Justin Bowick, who, despite sharing the team-high of five touchdown catches with Dixon last year, has transferred to Oklahoma State, leaving a notable gap in the lineup.

To bolster their ranks, Illinois has actively sought new talents, welcoming several transfers and freshmen eager to make their mark. The team has strengthened its wide receiver unit by bringing in four transfers: Jayshon Platt from Florida Atlantic University, Ty Robinson from Ball State, Eddie Kasper from Illinois State, and Alex Perry from Florida International University. These new additions are expected to contribute positively to the team’s performance as they integrate into the squad during spring training.

The Illini added four wideouts via the portal: Jayshon Platt from FAU, Ty Robinson from Ball State, Eddie Kasper from Illinois State and Alex Perry from FIU.

Platt is new to Illinois, but not new to the college game by any means.

He comes to Champaign for his fifth year of college football, having played in 36 games at Florida Atlantic. He racked up 55 catches, 791 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns with the Owls. 720 of those receiving yards came in his breakout 2025 campaign.

“It’s really just another year of football at another school,” Platt said on Monday of transitioning to the Illini program. “So, I’m getting adjusted well… It’s a great opportunity, to go win games with this team, make it to the playoffs, especially for me – to get to the NFL.

Illini wide receivers coach Justin Stepp has helped several of his players achieve their NFL dreams, including Pat Bryant at Illinois.

“He’s a great guy,” Platt said of Stepp. “He coaches me hard, coaches me to the details. It allows me to get better every single day.”

Route-running, catching, breaking tackles, etc. are all things Platt is familiar with. He is less familiar, entering the 2026 spring practices, with others on the Illini roster.

“Just trying to build chemistry with my team, the offense,” he said. “Show the coaches I’m reliable.”

Stepp, gearing up for his third season coaching Illinois’ receivers, says there’s plenty to like about what Platt brings to the table.

“The most impressive thing about him is how smart he is,” Stepp said of Platt, citing his impressive note-taking skills. “He’s meticulous- wants to know what he’s doing right, wants to know what he’s doing wrong. I love that about him. Then, obviously, he’s got some pop. He’s got speed off the ball, then really good when he gets the ball in his hands.”

Stepp’s room also returns Mt. Zion native Brayden Trimble after he played some special teams in 2025. Plus, the Illini added multiple freshman wideouts from the 2026 class, including Trimble’s high school teammate Jacob Harvey and four-star Chicago native Nasir Rankin.

Trump Announces Permanent Opening of Strait of Hormuz Amid Chinese Involvement

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Trump Announces Permanent Opening of Strait of Hormuz Amid Chinese Involvement

Donald Trump has announced the Strait of Hormuz will remain accessible indefinitely following covert negotiations with Xi Jinping, asserting that the Chinese president has committed to halting the supply of arms to Iran.

Trump shared this update on Wednesday via Truth Social, where he also mentioned that Xi is expected to warmly greet him with “a big, fat hug” at their forthcoming meeting.

“China is thrilled that I am ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is permanently open,” Trump proclaimed on Truth Social. “I’m doing this not just for them, but for the entire world. This situation will not arise again.”

He further stated, “They have agreed to cease sending weapons to Iran. President Xi is eager to give me a big, fat hug when I visit in a few weeks.”

“We are collaborating intelligently and effectively! Isn’t that preferable to conflict? BUT REMEMBER, if necessary, we excel at fighting—better than anyone else!” Trump concluded.

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which one fifth of the world’s supply flows. 

Trump imposed the blockade to push Tehran back to the negotiating table, with the President reportedly reluctant to resume the bombing campaign which has brought chaos to the Middle East.

It remains unclear whether Trump was declaring the strait open to shipping traffic immediately, or signaling an intent to reach a permanent resolution as peace talks with Iran continue. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.  

Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz 'permanently open' despite his ongoing naval blockade amid growing concerns from China

Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz ‘permanently open’ despite his ongoing naval blockade amid growing concerns from China

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which roughly a quarter of the world’s supply flows

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which roughly a quarter of the world’s supply flows

The President said on Wednesday morning that he is reopening the strait following private discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

The President said on Wednesday morning that he is reopening the strait following private discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping 

The blockade has reportedly put an economic stranglehold over Tehran in hopes they will return to the negotiating table

The blockade has reportedly put an economic stranglehold over Tehran in hopes they will return to the negotiating table

Trump and Xi are expected to meet for a diplomatic summit in Beijing in mid-May to discuss managing trade tariffs and US access to rare earth minerals. 

The summit will be Trump’s first major foreign trip since launching the war against Iran – China’s largest Middle Eastern ally. 

China, along with Russia, has assisted Iran throughout the five-week war by providing satellite imagery and intelligence used to help target US military bases with ballistic missiles and suicide drones. 

In the last 24-hours, the US military has blocked six oil tankers from moving through the strait. 

The Pentagon, meanwhile, is preparing to send 6,000 more troops to the region aboard the USS George HW Bush and several other warships. 

Beijing has been critical of Trump’s blockade with Xi Jinping calling it ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ while noting the world must not ‘revert to the law of the jungle.’

After Trump launched the war, Iran retaliated by choking off traffic through the Strait with swarms of explosive speedboats, drones, and naval mines. 

Tehran has also sought to impose de facto tolls on passing oil tankers, allowing favored partners like China and India to transit more freely while pressuring Western vessels.

It comes as the Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of new troops to the Middle East, according to the Washington Post

It comes as the Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of new troops to the Middle East, according to the Washington Post 

Some 6,000 troops aboard several warships are expected to arrive near the end of the month. Above, an F/A-18E Super Hornet launching from USS Abraham Lincoln

Some 6,000 troops aboard several warships are expected to arrive near the end of the month. Above, an F/A-18E Super Hornet launching from USS Abraham Lincoln

The economic fallout has driven gas prices sharply higher and fueled inflation across the US, with the national average climbing to around $4.10 a gallon as crude oil prices hover above $100 per barrel.

Trump indicated on Wednesday morning that the war may come to a peaceful resolution within the next 48-hours. 

The President said ‘you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead’ as he teased a forthcoming deal in a phone call with ABC News. 

‘They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals. They’re gone, no longer with us,’ Trump said.

‘If I weren’t President, the world would be torn to pieces.’

Negotiations fell apart earlier this weekend over US demands that Iran fully abandon its nuclear ambitions. 

Washington pushed for Tehran to halt all uranium enrichment for 20 years and hand over its entire stockpile.

Iranian diplomats countered by offering a five-year pause on enrichment but refused to cede control of its uranium stockpile to the US.

Soon after, Vice President JD Vance, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, announced that no agreement had been reached after more than 20 hours of negotiations.

Trump Asserts China’s Approval on U.S. Initiative to Reopen Strait

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Trump Asserts China’s Approval on U.S. Initiative to Reopen Strait


In a bold declaration on Wednesday, President Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will be “permanently” opened, a strategic move that reportedly pleases China. According to Trump, this decision is part of an understanding with Beijing, which has agreed to cease sending weapons to Iran in return.

However, the president’s announcement raises several questions. Only earlier this week, a blockade was imposed on ships navigating to and from Iranian ports, adding to the complexity of the situation. Historically, Iran itself had curtailed traffic through the strait amid ongoing conflict.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump stated, “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World. This situation will never happen again,” emphasizing the global impact of his decision just before U.S. markets opened.

He further elaborated, “They [China] have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well!” expressing optimism about the collaboration between the two nations.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported that it had diverted six merchant vessels and effectively ceased trade operations from Iran’s ports, showcasing the immediate consequences of America’s strategic maneuvers.

The Chinese have recently voiced both sides to end hostilities and open the strait where they get much of their energy supplies.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for clarification on whether the president was opening the lane only for China or if he is allowing ships flagged to other countries. 

Trump’s Truth Social post echoes comments he made earlier in an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria,” in which he said Chinese President Xi Jinping denied that he was supplying weapons to Iran. 

“He just wrote me a beautiful letter,” Trump said, saying Xi was responding to a letter he wrote because he heard China was supplying Iran with weapons.

“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying essentially he’s not doing that,” he said. 

The president’s comments come after reports surfaced earlier this week U.S. intelligence agencies received information in recent weeks suggesting that Beijing may have sent a shipment of missiles to Tehran. The New York Times reported that the intelligence is not definitive, and that there is no evidence that Chinese missiles have been used against American or Israeli forces during the conflict. 

Trump also addressed a China-linked cyber attack into an internal agency system, which the FBI deemed earlier this month “a major incident.” 

“We do it to them. They do it to us. We do it to them,” Trump said. “It is what it is. China’s China. They’re never easy, but we’re doing great with China. I’m the toughest person on China anywhere in the world.”

Amazon Prime Faces Backlash After Major Disruption During NBA Play-In Game Broadcast

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Amazon Prime Faces Backlash After Major Disruption During NBA Play-In Game Broadcast

Amazon Prime attributed the streaming hiccup during the Hornets vs. Heat Play-In Tournament clash to a “hardware failure” in their production truck on Thursday night.

An Amazon representative explained to ESPN, “The broadcast of the Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets encountered a brief disruption because of a hardware failure in our production truck. Our teams worked swiftly to restore the feed, allowing fans to watch the game’s conclusion. We are conducting a comprehensive internal review to identify the root cause of the outage.”

The interruption occurred just as the game resumed post-timeout, with the Hornets holding a 125-120 lead over the Heat and 48.1 seconds left in overtime.

The blackout persisted for almost two minutes, during which fans missed out on 22.1 seconds of game action and a critical Hornets possession.

A “technical difficulties” message appeared on screens, leaving viewers—including Lakers star LeBron James—in suspense during the intense Play-In showdown.

“Tell me the game didn’t just cut off?!!? Am I trippin?? WTH,” James wrote on X.

The Hornets went on to win 127-126 and eliminated the Heat from the postseason in the NBA’s first of six Play-In games.

The matchup between the East’s ninth-and-10th-ranked teams had no shortage of thrilling moments, including 16 lead changes and 17 ties.

The Heat remained in the game despite losing star big man Bam Adebayo to a lower back injury in the second quarter after being tripped by Charlotte point guard LaMelo Ball.

Adebayo did not return to the game.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said in his post-game press conference that Ball should’ve been ejected after the incident.

After the Hornets win, Ball said it wasn’t intentional and that he was going to check in on Adebayo.

Prime Video has exclusive rights to all six games in this year’s Play-In Tournament.

Record Number of Americans Utilize New Trump Tax Exemptions as Tax Day Approaches, Reports Treasury

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Record Number of Americans Utilize New Trump Tax Exemptions as Tax Day Approaches, Reports Treasury

WASHINGTON — As Tax Day approaches this Wednesday, Americans rush to finalize their tax filings. The Trump administration reports that numerous taxpayers have already benefited from new tax breaks, including exemptions on tips and overtime, interest deductions on certain car loans, advantages for seniors, and the introduction of Trump Accounts to nurture children’s savings.

A Treasury official disclosed that over 53 million individuals have utilized deductions from the GOP’s extensive tax and spending reforms. Noteworthy among these are 6 million people who benefited from the new tip tax exemption, 21 million who claimed deductions for overtime, and 30 million seniors who took advantage of enhanced deductions.

This official, opting to remain unnamed while discussing the figures, described the 2026 tax filing period as a triumph from the administration’s viewpoint.

However, despite these updates, a significant portion of the American populace, about 70%, still feels their tax burden is excessive, according to recent surveys. This sentiment persists even after the Republican tax reforms which were designed to reduce tax obligations for many citizens.

At the onset of the tax season in January, the White House projected an average refund increase of at least $1,000. Currently, the average refund stands at $3,462, reflecting an 11% increase or approximately $350 more than last year’s average refund of $3,116, as reported by the IRS.

Treasury has shifted its messaging to tout that tax refunds this season are up 24% compared with the four-year average of refunds before President Donald Trump took office.

The White House has been trying to promote Trump’s tax cuts as a way to get voters more enthusiastic about the way he’s handling the economy ahead of November’s midterm elections, but the message has been overshadowed for weeks by higher gas prices caused by the war in Iran.

Don’t miss out on these Tax Day deals!

The 2026 season comes as the IRS has gone through a leadership turnover and reduced its workforce by 27% over the past year through cuts brought on by the Department of Government Efficiency.

IRS CEO Frank Bisignano is set to testify in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.

In his public testimony to lawmakers, Bisignano planned to tout the IRS’ implementation of the Republican tax law.

However, Democratic lawmakers zeroed in on IRS disclosures of confidential taxpayer information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of an agreement between ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to share information for the purpose of identifying and deporting people illegally in the U.S.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Chinese Scientist Admits to Illegally Bringing E. coli Samples into the U.S.

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Chinese Scientist Admits to Illegally Bringing E. coli Samples into the U.S.

A Chinese researcher has been sentenced to over four months in prison after admitting to smuggling Escherichia coli (E. coli) into the United States, federal prosecutors revealed on Tuesday.

Youhuang Xiang, 32, a former postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University and a Chinese national, confessed to hiding E. coli DNA in a shipment from China that was misleadingly described as women’s underwear, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

The FBI also discovered evidence indicating that Xiang was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and had misrepresented this affiliation to immigration authorities. Officials expressed that this case raises serious concerns regarding public safety and the integrity of research funded by federal resources.

“Such conduct poses a very serious threat to public safety and to the health of our agricultural economy,” stated U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler.

Split image of E. coli bacteria sample in a lab and Chinese researcher Youhuang Xiang

Image of an E. coli bacteria sample in a laboratory juxtaposed with a photo of Chinese researcher Youhuang Xiang (iStock; FBI Indianapolis)

Authorities said Xiang received the package at his Bloomington, Indiana, residence in March 2024 after it was shipped from a China-based company and mislabeled on the manifest to avoid detection.

According to court documents, the FBI’s Indianapolis Division began investigating suspicious shipments from China to individuals affiliated with Indiana University in November 2025. Agents determined that Xiang had received a shipment from Guangzhou Sci-Tech Innovation Trading that was declared as “Underwear of Man-Made Fibers, Other Womens.” Investigators found the shipment unusual, given the company’s focus on science and technology products.

He was later stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in November 2025 upon his return from a research trip to the United Kingdom. Authorities said he initially denied knowledge of the shipment before admitting the contents had intentionally concealed samples of DNA of E. coli bacteria, according to court documents.

E. coli is a bacteria that lives in the gut but can cause serious illness if harmful strains spread.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waving during a meeting with Vietnam's communist party general secretary To Lam

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during a meeting with Vietnam’s communist party general secretary To Lam at the Office of the Party Central Committee in Hanoi on April 14, 2025. (Nhac Nguyen/AFP)

“Those who attempt to secretly bring biological materials into the United States are taking a serious risk with public safety,” FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley said.

A federal judge sentenced Xiang to more than four months in prison, along with a fine and supervised release, and ordered his removal from the United States following his sentence.

“This Chinese Communist Party member exploited a federally funded research grant… to smuggle dangerous biological material into the United States,” USDA Inspector General John Walk said.

The case is part of a broader pattern of recent prosecutions involving foreign researchers accused of smuggling biological materials into the U.S.

In November, federal prosecutors charged three Chinese nationals with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the U.S. while working at the University of Michigan’s Shawn Xu Laboratory, alleging they made false statements to customs officials to bring in roundworm-related materials from China.

Visa applicants lining up outside the U.S. embassy in China

Visa applicants line up at the U.S. embassy in China. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

Authorities said the suspects were participating in J-1 visa programs and allegedly received concealed shipments from a China-based researcher who had previously been convicted of similar offenses and removed from the U.S.

In a separate case in February 2025, a Russian-born Harvard researcher was detained at Boston Logan International Airport for allegedly smuggling frog embryos into the country without proper permits. Authorities said the materials were discovered after the scientist initially denied carrying biological substances. She was later released from federal custody while the case proceeds.

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
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