Government says Harvard researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos brought 'biological materials'
BOSTON (AP) — Attorneys argued over whether a Harvard researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos brought 'biological materials' into the U.S. in a court hearing Wednesday.
Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist conducting cancer research for Harvard Medical School, appeared in Massachusetts federal court Wednesday for a probable cause hearing, where government and defense attorneys argued over whether she brought 'biological materials' into the U.S., ABC News reported.
She was returning from a vacation from France in February when she was questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Boston Logan International Airport.
Petrova, 30, had stopped at a lab specializing in splicing superfine sections of frog embryos and obtained a package of samples for research. Federal officials on the social media website X accused her of lying about 'carrying substances' into the country and alleged that she planned to smuggle the embryos through customs without declaring them.
She told The Associated Press in an interview in April that she did not realize the items needed to be declared and was not trying to sneak anything into the country.
Petrova was told her visa was being canceled and detained by immigration officials in Vermont after her initial arrest. She filed a petition seeking her release and was briefly sent to an ICE facility in Louisiana, after which a judge ruled the immigration officers' actions were unlawful. In May, she was charged with one count of smuggling.
The Homeland Security Investigations agent who wrote the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Brian Goldsworthy, testified Wednesday that Petrova would not have been able to leave the airport had she declared the frog embryos in her luggage, ABC News reported.
He said that Customs and Border Protection agriculture experts and a federal laboratory that reviewed the samples deemed them to be biological material, ABC News reported. Petrova's attorney argued it was unclear what definition the government was operating under and the requirement to declare items entering the country doesn't hinge on whether something is a biological material, ABC News reported.
After Wednesday's hearing, both sides will now have the opportunity to submit briefs to the judge.
If convicted of the smuggling charge, Petrova faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Border Patrol says California, LA 'sanctuary' policies force public patrols
The Brief ICE raids and protests against them continue popping up across Southern California. Border Patrol has been in Los Angeles for about a week, working with ICE. Border Patrol says they'll be here "until the job is done." LOS ANGELES - While anti-ICE protests continue to pop up across Southern California, FOX 11 interviewed Border Patrol on Wednesday to discuss their current operations occurring across the Los Angeles area. "It is a little bit out of the ordinary to see Border Patrol here in Los Angeles," said Assistant Chief David Kim from Border Patrol's El Centro Sector. What we know Border Patrol has been working with ICE in the Los Angeles area for about a week, following President Donald Trump's order to expand deportation efforts. "We're here in Los Angeles, deep in the heart of sanctuary territory," said Kim. "It is a lot more difficult to make these arrests." On Tuesday, Kim said crowds of people followed Border Patrol agents to a parking lot in Pico Rivera. They had been apprehending non-U.S. citizens outside a Walmart. SUGGESTED: Video showing ICE takedown of US citizen in Pico Rivera parking lot sparks community outrage In video from the scene shared with FOX 11 by viewers, a struggle can be seen taking place between a Walmart employee and Border Patrol agents. A U.S. citizen was arrested as a result of the struggle. "The narrative right now is just a U.S. citizen was arrested for no reason," said Kim. "But, in fact, that subject punched two agents and is now in custody facing federal charges for assault." What they're saying According to Kim, the deportation efforts taking place at car washes, work places, and parking lots are amplified by sanctuary immigration policies in California and Los Angeles. Instead of having a handful of agents in local jails, Kim says they have to have more agents on the street carrying out immigration enforcement operations. RELATED: LA ICE protests have cost the city nearly $20 million: See the numbers "We don't have support from the state legislators here," said Kim. "That's forcing us to go out and do roving patrols." FOX 11 asked how they pick targets while carrying out "roving patrols". "Without giving away some of the tactics out there, the vast majority of these roving patrols would just be consensual encounters," said Kim. "We know where to look, and we know the indicators." The other side In recent weeks, some residents have expressed their concerns and fears associated with these apprehensions and deportations. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the raids are wrong. "When you raid Home Depots and work places, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you're not trying to keep anyone safe," said Mayor Bass. Kim pushed back against Bass' claims, saying that when he and his team were doing roving patrols in a Home Depot, they found an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, "who back in 2015 had sexual intercourse with a minor under 16." What's next Border Patrol says they'll be in the Los Angeles area helping ICE "until the job is done." "Immigrants, those that are here legally, have nothing to worry about," said Kim. "But, if you are here illegally, my recommendation is to self-deport. If we find you, you will get arrested." The Source Information in this story is from an interview with Assistant Chief David Kim from Border Patrol's El Centro Sector, comments from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and previous FOX 11 reports.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bad Bunny Slams ICE Over Raids in Puerto Rico: 'Those Motherf***ers'
Bad Bunny is slamming Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for making arrests in Puerto Rico. The Grammy-winning rapper and singer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, took to his Instagram Story to share a since-deleted video (due to Stories disappearing after 24 hours) of the ICE operation in Avenida Pontezuela, Carolina. More from The Hollywood Reporter Justin Bieber Addresses His Trauma: "My Anger Is a Response to Pain" BTS Is Back: K-pop Supergroup's Anniversary Ushers in Long-Awaited Reunion Lou Christie, "Lightnin' Strikes" and "Rhapsody in the Rain" Singer, Dies at 82 'Those motherfuckers are in these cars, RAV-4s,' Bad Bunny can be heard saying in Spanish over the footage. 'They're here in Pontezuela. Sons of bitches, instead of letting the people alone and working.' Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House earlier this year, his administration has prioritized cracking down on alleged immigration violations. The New York Times reported that more than 500 people have been detained by federal authorities in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, with nearly three-quarters of those arrested from the Dominican Republic. Ongoing protests have erupted across the nation, including New York and Los Angeles, against the unlawful immigration ICE raids. In response to the L.A. protests, Trump deployed California's National Guard to quell the demonstrations. However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed back, formally requesting that the Trump Administration 'rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command.' The case is currently making its way through the courts, with the appeals court temporarily blocking a federal judge's order that directed Trump to return control of National Guard troops back to the state. In a Tuesday hearing, the federal appeals court appeared inclined to side with Trump, the Times reported, though a ruling has yet to be made on the matter. Shakira also recently spoke out about the 'constant fear' that immigrants face in the United States today amid Trump's aggressive policies. 'It's painful to see,' the Colombian-born singer told BBC News. 'Now, more than ever, we have to remain united. Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ICE raids ramp up on Florida's Space Coast with construction workers, landscapers detained
The Brief ICE Agents and Brevard County deputies are making arrests in Cocoa. Eyewitnesses say the latest string of arrests happened at an apartment complex and involved a construction crew. A new Congressional bill was introduced on Wednesday to improve transparency with increased immigration arrests. COCOA, Fla. - The Brevard County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday that deputies assisted federal immigration authorities in Cocoa this week, sparking concern among residents and drawing new calls for transparency in immigration enforcement. What we know The Brevard County Sheriff's Office confirmed deputies assisted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on Tuesday in Cocoa. Witnesses recorded the interaction with law enforcement that took place at an apartment complex on Clearlake Road. In images shared with FOX 35, multiple deputy and immigration vehicles were parked outside the Oak Meadows leasing office, and at least one vehicle was towed from the scene. Other photos sent to FOX 35 show other landscape workers being detained by immigration authorities and deputies earlier in the month on State Road 520 and Blake Avenue. Legal experts say employers can face consequences for hiring undocumented workers in Florida. People who saw the arrest at the apartment complex say residents and workers are fearful and are seeing authorities in the area more often. A new bill, called the Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, was introduced by Congressman Maxwell Frost on Wednesday to try and increase transparency with ICE agents sharing information publicly when arrests are made. The Speaker of the House says more focus should instead be put on supporting ICE agents and making sure they have resources to make arrests. What we don't know It's unclear how many people were detained in either situation in Cocoa. It's also unclear if their families were alerted by ICE about the arrests. We don't know if the people had warrants out for other crimes or only their immigration status. What they're saying People who saw the arrests are worried about families being notified since they're happening at work. Legal experts say it's not just employees who can face consequences if working illegally. Employers can also be held accountable in Florida. "Nobody should be fearful of living day to day in their homes or going to work," said Amaya Ruiz, who is concerned about how the arrests are affecting families in the community. "For employers that have more than 25 employees they have to do mandatory E-Verify to make sure they're not hiring undocumented workers," said civil attorney Carlos Martin with Forest Lake Law. "This bill is a step towards pulling back the curtain on our immigration and detention system," said Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, who just filed new legislation to improve transparency with ICE arrests. "It's a patriotic duty. They're understaffed. They're overwhelmed with the workload. They're trying to go after the dangerous criminal illegal aliens," said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who says ICE agents need more resources to continue making arrests. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35's Reporter Esther Bower has been monitoring social media for weeks when people have shared photos and videos of ICE and Brevard deputies arresting workers in Cocoa. She spoke with Brevard Sheriff to confirm their deputies were assisting ICE on June 18, 2025. She also interviewed an eyewitness to the latest arrests. On the same day, she watched a press briefing where new legislation was introduced by a Central Florida lawmaker on the immigration issue.
