A researcher who was accused of trying to smuggle cancer research materials out of the US has pleaded guilty to lying to a customs official, the Associated Press reports.
Zaosong Zheng was arrested about a year ago at Logan International Airport in Boston. At the time, the Boston Globe reported that Zheng, who was in the US on a visa sponsored by Harvard University and who had been conducting research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, allegedly wrapped vials of research materials in cellophane and hid them in a sock in his luggage. It added that Zheng's apparent goal was to bring the samples back to China for further research to be published under his own name.
According to the AP, Zheng has pleaded guilty to making false statements and his sentencing hearing is next month. David Duncan, Zheng's attorney, notes that though Zheng was initially charged with smuggling, he has only pleaded guilty to lying. Duncan further says it is unlikely that Zheng will serve any time, and the AP notes Zheng is to be deported.