A popular New Jersey sushi restaurant owner known as “Sushi John” has been arrested by ICE after previously being convicted of spying for the Chinese government while serving probation in the community.
At a Glance
- Ming Xi Zhang, owner of Ya Ya Noodles in Montgomery Township, NJ, was arrested by ICE on March 24 in Newark
- Zhang was convicted in April 2024 for acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government
- He admitted to meeting with Chinese security officials in the Bahamas in 2016 and delivering $35,000 to an individual in New Jersey
- Zhang is currently held at the Elizabeth Detention Center awaiting immigration proceedings
- The arrest comes as part of increased deportation efforts under President Trump’s administration
From Sushi Restaurant to Detention Center
Ming Xi Zhang, widely known as “Sushi John” in his community, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 24 in Newark, New Jersey. Zhang, who owns Ya Ya Noodles in Montgomery Township, now faces potential deportation following his previous conviction for acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
Despite being sentenced to just three years’ probation in April 2024 for his espionage-related activities, ICE has determined that Zhang violated the terms of his lawful admission to the United States, which began when he legally entered the country in 2000.
According to ICE officials, Zhang’s arrest is connected to his May 2021 guilty plea, in which he admitted to serving as an agent of the Chinese government in 2016 without properly notifying the U.S. Attorney General as required by law. This conviction represents a serious national security concern, as it documents direct cooperation with a foreign power engaged in intelligence gathering within American borders. The case has drawn significant attention as it reveals how seemingly ordinary businesses might serve as fronts for international espionage operations.
The owner of a New Jersey sushi restaurant was arrested last month by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement after being convicted of spying for China. https://t.co/jKwb0MdLJI
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) April 12, 2025
Documented Espionage Activities
Court records detail Zhang’s activities working on behalf of Chinese intelligence services. In 2016, Zhang traveled to the Bahamas to meet with Chinese security officials, after which he delivered $35,000 to an individual in New Jersey. The nature of this payment and its intended purpose remain partially classified, but federal prosecutors described it as part of a foreign intelligence operation. Zhang also admitted to hosting a Chinese government agent at his Princeton home twice during the same year, providing accommodations for foreign operatives on American soil.
These activities represent a pattern of behavior consistent with how foreign intelligence agencies recruit and utilize assets within target countries. By leveraging business owners with ties to their homeland, foreign governments can establish networks for gathering information or exerting influence without drawing attention from counterintelligence services. Zhang’s case demonstrates how even suburban communities like Montgomery Township can become battlegrounds in international espionage operations
A New Jersey restaurant owner known to locals as “Sushi John” has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after being convicted of acting as an agent of a foreign government 😳
“Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage or export… pic.twitter.com/K3DUCKL5ry
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) April 12, 2025
Community Response and Immigration Implications
Despite the serious nature of Zhang’s conviction, the local community has reportedly shown support for the restaurant owner following his arrest. This community response highlights the complex human dimensions of national security cases, where individuals may develop strong personal connections within their communities while simultaneously engaging in activities deemed harmful to national interests. Zhang is currently being held at the Elizabeth Detention Center while awaiting immigration proceedings that will determine his future in the United States.
The timing of Zhang’s arrest coincides with the Trump administration’s renewed focus on deportation efforts, particularly targeting those with criminal convictions. Recent Supreme Court decisions have created uncertainty in the legal environment surrounding deportation cases, potentially affecting the outcome of Zhang’s immigration proceedings. His attorney, Robert Hazzard, has not responded to media inquiries about the case, leaving questions about Zhang’s defense strategy unanswered as the legal process unfolds.
