Crime · Livermore, CA
Two Chinese Agents Sentenced for Spy Ring Linked to Livermore Dead Drop
Two nationals of the People's Republic of China were sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for acting as agents for China's Ministry of State Security. Prosecutors stated that Liren “Ryan” Lai and Yuance Chen facilitated a clandestine cash payment of approximately $10,000 by leaving a backpack in a locker at a recreational facility in Livermore. The pair also gathered information on U.S. military personnel and installations, including photos from Navy Base Kitsap and recruiting stations. Lai pleaded guilty in December 2025, while Chen pleaded guilty in February 2026.