U.S. Citizen Pleads Guilty To Acting As Secret Agent For China
Thomas Weir Pauken II pleaded guilty Thursday, June 4, 2026, to acting as an unregistered agent for the People's Republic of China inside the United States and faces up to 10 years in federal prison.[1] Sentencing is set for September 1.[1]
Prosecutors said Pauken gathered intelligence on American targets, tried to infiltrate U.S. political circles and reported his findings to China's Ministry of State Security.[1] Authorities allege he received more than $100,000 and made repeated trips from China to the U.S. over several years as part of the operation.[1]
The FBI's Philadelphia and Washington field offices led the investigation that produced the plea, according to prosecutors.[1] The case resolves a multi-year probe into alleged covert reporting to a foreign intelligence service and moves next to federal sentencing in September.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Thomas Weir Pauken II pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China inside the U.S.
- Prosecutors say Pauken gathered intelligence on American targets, tried to infiltrate U.S. political circles, and reported back to China’s Ministry of State Security.
- Authorities allege Pauken received more than $100,000 and made repeated trips from China to the U.S. over several years as part of the operation.
- Sentencing is set for September 1, and Pauken faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
- The investigation was led by the FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington field offices.
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