Chen Jinping, a Chinese American facing sentencing on May 30, could receive three years in prison for running a Communist Chinese secret police station in the heart of Manhattan, revealing Beijing’s brazen infiltration of American sovereignty on U.S. soil.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. prosecutors are seeking a three-year prison sentence for Chen Jinping after he pleaded guilty to operating an illegal Chinese police station in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
- The secret police station was established in February 2022 under the America ChangeLe Association to conduct transnational repression for the Chinese Communist Party.
- Chen was caught deleting WeChat communications with Chinese officials, obstructing justice and preventing the FBI from recovering evidence.
- This landmark case represents the first known prosecution related to China’s practice of operating undeclared police stations in foreign countries.
- The sentencing decision on May 30 in Brooklyn Federal Court will set a precedent for how America responds to foreign governments conducting unauthorized operations on U.S. soil.
China’s Covert Operations Exposed in America
The impending sentencing of Chen Jinping marks a critical moment in America’s fight against foreign infiltration. Chen, arrested in April 2023 alongside co-defendant Lu Jianwang, admitted to operating a secret Chinese police station in Manhattan’s Chinatown beginning in February 2022. This unauthorized operation functioned under the seemingly innocent guise of the America ChangeLe Association but served as a direct extension of the Chinese Communist Party’s global repression apparatus, targeting dissidents and conducting surveillance operations on American soil.
Federal prosecutors have emphasized the extraordinary nature of this case as the first known prosecution of the CCP’s international network of secret police stations. These unauthorized outposts represent a direct challenge to American sovereignty, operating completely outside diplomatic channels and conducting law enforcement activities without any legal authority. Chen was one of only three individuals entrusted by CCP officials to manage this clandestine operation, highlighting his significant role in this breach of national security.
US prosecutors seek a 3-year sentence for a Chinese man, who pleaded guilty to operating a secret Chinese police station in NYC. The case highlights Beijing’s transnational repression and the illegal enforcement of its laws abroad.https://t.co/JPHjClYBQz
Prosecutors Seek 3-Year…
— Spotlight on China (@spotlightoncn) May 27, 2025
Prosecutors Demand Serious Consequences
The Justice Department is seeking a substantial three-year prison term for Chen, rejecting his attorney’s request for supervised release and community service. Prosecutors maintain that Chen’s actions directly undermined America’s sovereignty and compromised our legal system. His guilty plea in December 2024 to conspiring to act as an illegal agent of China only came after substantial evidence mounted against him. Particularly damning was Chen’s attempt to obstruct justice by deleting WeChat communications with Chinese officials when he realized he was under investigation.
“Obstruction of justice is a particularly insidious offense because it undermines law enforcement’s capacity to fully investigate serious criminal activity and erodes public confidence in the legal system,” prosecutors argued in court filings.
The sentencing recommendation reflects the gravity of Chen’s actions. Rather than respecting American laws and sovereignty, Chen prioritized the interests of the Chinese Communist Party, actively participating in transnational repression campaigns that targeted Chinese dissidents living in America. These operations included harassment of an “Operation Fox Hunt” victim in California, demonstrating how these secret police stations extended their reach across the entire country.
Defense Seeks Leniency Despite Serious Offenses
Chen’s defense attorney, Susan Kellman, has attempted to portray her client as remorseful, submitting letters from family and friends to argue that he is deserving of the Court’s mercy. This plea for leniency stands in stark contrast to the prosecutors’ evidence showing Chen’s consistent dedication to furthering CCP interests over American sovereignty. The defense strategy focuses on presenting Chen as a family man who made a mistake, downplaying the systematic nature of his participation in China’s transnational repression apparatus.
“Such a sentence would constitute just punishment, reflect the severity of the defendant’s conduct, promote respect for the law, and provide the specific and general deterrent effect called for by the defendant’s offense,” prosecutors emphasized in their sentencing recommendation.
When District Judge Nina Morrison hands down her decision on May 30 in Brooklyn Federal Court, it will establish a crucial precedent for how America responds to foreign governments conducting unauthorized operations on our soil. The sentencing will send a clear message about the consequences for those who choose to undermine American sovereignty by acting as agents of foreign powers. With China continuing to expand its global influence operations, this case represents just one example of the broader threat posed by the CCP’s efforts to extend its control and surveillance beyond its borders.
