A California real estate agent accused of gathering intelligence on a relative of Taiwan's president for the Chinese government sought release from federal custody Wednesday, offering more than $800,000 in property equity and financial guarantees while disputing prosecutors' claims that she posed a flight risk.Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, argued through her attorney that her American citizenship, family ties and history of returning from overseas trips demonstrated she would appear for future court proceedings, according to a nine-page defense filing obtained by Fox News Digital.Zhang was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport while preparing to board a flight to China.She faces a federal charge of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.FEDS SAY US CITIZEN GATHERED INFORMATION ON AMERICAN TARGETS FOR CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTYThis photo provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows Wanying Zhang being arrested Sunday, Oct.
4, 2026, in Los Angeles.(Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)Her attorney, Craig Harbaugh, told the court that Zhang came to the United States in 2014, became a naturalized citizen in 2020 and has worked in Orange County real estate for approximately a decade.She lives with her husband and their two daughters, ages 8 and 5, according to the filing.The defense proposed using an Irvine residence with at least $700,000 in equity to secure her release, along with $120,000 in financial guarantees from her husband, his sister, his father and a family friend.This undated photo released by the U.S.
Attorney for the Central District of California on Monday, Oct.5, 2026, shows Wanying Zhang.
(U.S.Attorney for the Central District of California via AP)Harbaugh also proposed GPS-monitored home detention, surrendering travel documents, electronic-device monitoring and restrictions on entering airports or contacting individuals connected to the case.The defense acknowledged that Pretrial Services recommended detention...