New York Man Convicted of Acting as Illegal Agent for China in Manhattan Chinatown Case

A jury in Brooklyn federal court convicted Lu “Harry” Jianwang, 64, on Wednesday of acting as an illegal foreign agent and obstructing justice. Prosecutors said Lu deleted WeChat messages that included orders from Beijing to harass and intimidate pro-democracy dissidents. The conviction came after a weeklong trial.

Lu Jianwang set up an outpost in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood in 2022. Prosecutors said he created the outpost at China’s direction after attending an event in Fujian province where China’s Ministry of Public Security announced it was opening 30 secret police stations around the world.

U.S. Citizen for decades, Lu now faces up to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors described the matter as the first criminal case of its kind. They accused Lu Jianwang of helping China locate a pro-democracy activist living in California.

U.S. Attorney Antoinette Rangel said the police station “wasn’t the defendant’s idea or initiative: this was the Chinese government. ” Lu Jianwang was initially arrested in April 2023 and pleaded not guilty.

U.S. courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, following his conviction. His legal team argued that he acted voluntarily and alone to create a community center where he helped people renew their Chinese driver’s licenses remotely without returning to China.

John Carman said: “Harry’s motives were pure. Harry’s support in the community is enormous for a reason — not because he’s some underworld operative. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. ” Washington Examiner reported the details of the case and statements from both sides.