A geneticist working for the USDA in Arkansas pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a scheme to steal rice seeds and send them to China.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord and Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall of the District for Kansas made the announcement.
Wengui Yan, 61, of Stuttgart, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the FBI while working as a geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Dale Bumpers National Research Center in Stuttgart.
In his plea, Yan admitted that on Aug. 7, 2013, agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection found stolen seeds in the luggage of a group of visitors from China preparing to board a plane to return home. The group had visited the facility in Stuttgart. Yan admitted that before the Chinese group arrived, a co-defendant in Kansas had asked him for seeds and Yan had declined because the seeds were protected. The co-defendant told Yan about other individuals seeking to steal samples of the seeds. When the delegation came to Stuttgart, Yan traveled with them to a rice farm where he knew they would have an opportunity to steal seeds.
After the theft, Yan denied knowing about the plans to steal the seeds or about the theft itself. Investigators also learned that Yan attempted to cover up a trip he made to China to visit the crops research institute that sent the delegation to the United States.
Sentencing will be set for a later date. Under the plea agreement, Yan faces a penalty of up to 20 months in federal prison.
Co-defendant Weiqiang Zhang, 50, of Manhattan, Kansas, is awaiting trial.
Laura Hawkins Bruns Judkins, 59, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 23, 2016 at her home.
Kathryn R. May, 83, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 23, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
Robert C. Hundley, 74, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 23, 2016.
Mary Frances Wood 96, Faucett, Missouri, passed away Monday, October 24, 2016 in St. Joseph, MO health care home. She was born October 22, 1920 in St. Joseph, MO. Mary worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Missouri Methodist Hospital and was a homemaker. She was a loving mother, wife and grandmother, who was very involved with her church, and enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking. She and was a member of the Faucett Senior Citizens Club, and Wallace Christian Church. Mary was preceded in death by parents, Frank Woyski, and Frances Trudell, husband, William Henry Wood, sister, Helen Brown, and brother, George Woyski. Survivors include, sons: Melvin (Melissa) Wood of Dearborn, MO, Gaylan (Nigel) Wood of Faucett, MO, Dewayne (Becky) Wood of Dearborn, MO, Robert “Bobby” Allen Wood of Faucett, MO, and daughter, Francine Wood of St. Joseph, MO, 7 grandchildren: Kelly (Gail) Wood, Brian (Sandy) Wood, Shelley (Brian) Smith, Staci (Todd) Hansen, Terrann (Sal) Wood, Haley Wood, Jared Wood, 10 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, sister in Law Lorene (Woisky) hogan, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Friday, October 28, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Jim Barnett officiating, The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Union Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Wallace Christian Church or Asera Care Hospice.
