Yunhai Li, a 35-year-old cancer researcher from China, is facing serious charges for allegedly stealing trade secrets during his tenure at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Li has worked at the prestigious institution for the past three years, focusing on breast cancer research, and now stands accused of theft of trade secrets and tampering with a government record.
According to reports from Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, the crimes stem from Li’s attempt to sneak sensitive medical data to his home country. This information was part of a federally funded project involving the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. The theft of trade secrets is classified as a third-degree felony, potentially resulting in a prison sentence between two to ten years, along with fines that could reach $10,000. The tampering charge is categorized as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a potential penalty of up to a year in jail.
On July 9, Li set out to travel to China. During a routine examination of his belongings by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, officials discovered evidence of his unlawful intentions. Reports indicate that “Li was attempting to take sensitive medical information abroad,” which prompted authorities to intervene at the airport.
Court documents reveal troubling details about how Li operated. While employed at MD Anderson, he saved sensitive research data on his personal Google Drive. Once confronted by the institution, Li deleted the relevant files. However, he had already transferred this information to Baidu, a Chinese technology company. This constitutes a red flag, indicating an intent to sidestep U.S. legal protections regarding sensitive research.
Li is accused of uploading pieces of “unpublished research data and articles representing trade secrets,” including drawings and models of his work. Teare remarked, “We were able to detain him as he was trying to get on a flight to China.” He noted, “There was a pretty good chance that he was going to get deported or leave the country—so we needed to file something.”
Currently, Li faces significant legal challenges. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence and substantial fines. The incident aligns with a growing concern over espionage, particularly involving Chinese nationals. This case underscores the risks to U.S. research and innovation, as well as the increasing vigilance of authorities tasked with safeguarding sensitive information in a climate where trade secrets are at risk.
"*" indicates required fields
