China Political Operative Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison

Yaoning "Mike" Sun convicted of acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China while serving as a campaign advisor

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Yaoning "Mike" Sun, a 65-year-old resident of Chino Hills, California, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Sun pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of functioning as an illegal agent of a foreign government while serving as a campaign advisor for a political candidate who was elected to a city council in Southern California.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about foreign adversaries, like China, attempting to influence American political processes and undermine democratic institutions by infiltrating local government through campaign advisors and other operatives. It demonstrates the FBI and federal law enforcement's commitment to holding those who try to act on behalf of hostile foreign powers accountable.

The details

According to court documents, Sun received and executed tasks from Chinese government officials, disseminated Chinese propaganda to distort public discourse, and surveilled groups in the U.S. that China viewed as threatening its interests. Prosecutors said Sun's actions were a "flagrant infringement of our national sovereignty" as he tried to exploit his role as a campaign advisor to benefit the Chinese Communist Party.

  • On October 2025, Sun entered a guilty plea to one count of functioning as an illegal agent of a foreign government.
  • On February 10, 2026, Sun was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner for the Central District of California.

The players

Yaoning "Mike" Sun

A 65-year-old resident of Chino Hills, California who was convicted of acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China while serving as a campaign advisor.

R. Gary Klausner

United States District Judge for the Central District of California who sentenced Yaoning "Mike" Sun to 48 months in federal prison.

John A. Eisenberg

Assistant Attorney General for National Security who stated that Sun's actions were a "flagrant infringement of our national sovereignty".

Roman Rozhavsky

Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division who said Sun tried to "undermine our democratic institutions and political processes" to benefit the Chinese Communist Party.

Bill Essayli

First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California who said federal law enforcement will not permit hostile foreign nations to enter the governance of the nation's political bodies.

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What they’re saying

“As part of a campaign of intimidation, Sun received and executed tasks from Chinese government officials, distorted our public discourse by disseminating Chinese propaganda, and surveilled groups in the United States that China viewed as threatening its interests for years.”

— John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

“When Americans vote for elected officials, they anticipate that they will represent the interests of their constituents, not those of a foreign adversary such as the Chinese government.”

— Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division

“Yaoning Sun endeavored to undermine our democratic institutions and political processes in order to benefit the Chinese Communist Party by exploiting his role as a campaign advisor.”

— Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division

“Federal law enforcement will not permit hostile foreign nations to enter the governance of our nation's political bodies.”

— Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by foreign adversaries like China to infiltrate and influence American political processes, underscoring the importance of robust counterintelligence efforts and the prosecution of those who seek to undermine democratic institutions on behalf of hostile powers.