Yunqing Jian (UM photo)

Yunqing Jian, 33, a Chinese scholar who conducted research at the University of Michigan, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Detroit federal court to smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the U.S.—a pathogen capable of damaging agricultural crops and causing illness in humans and livestock. She also admitted to lying to the FBI about it.

Jian was given no additional time beyond the five months she served in custody after her arrest in June. Authorities plan to quickly deport her.

“We must stop Chinese nationals who are smuggling potentially catastrophic biomaterials," Detroit U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gordon said in a statement. "We cannot allow these smugglers to work in the shadows at the University of Michigan. This felony conviction and sentence are a small b

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