A federal judge in Virginia sentenced American journalist Thomas Pauken II to two years in prison on charges that he acted as an unregistered agent of China, helping a Chinese intelligence officer collect sensitive information from potential U.S. assets, according to court records and statements from prosecutors.
Pauken, 50, who has lived in China since 2010 and wrote for the Chinese state-run outlet Xinhua News, was convicted in June 2026 after pleading guilty to working as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government from 2019 to 2026. He was arrested in February 2026 after what prosecutors described as an FBI sting operation at a Washington, D.C., hotel.
According to the Justice Department, Pauken was directed by a Chinese intelligence officer known only as “Cathy” to meet with human sources in the United States, provide them with laptops and cellphones, and send their reports back to China. Prosecutors said Cathy paid Pauken at least $100,000 over the course of their relationship and also funded his travel from China to the United States for recruitment purposes.
“Pauken exploited his U.S. citizenship and corresponding ability to travel to the U.S. without restriction in order to support Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) operations, recruiting, and gathering of sensitive information from potential assets,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in a statement. “Pauken betrayed his country for money.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Theophani Stamos echoed that sentiment, saying, “Thomas Pauken knowingly assisted a foreign adversary in actively subverting the government of the United States for his own financial gain. It is unconscionable that an American citizen would not only undermine the interests of the United States, but also facilitate others in doing so.”
During his sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, Pauken expressed remorse, calling his actions “shocking” and “terrible.” According to Politico, he told the court: “I learned a lot of secrets and I did tell the Chinese about these secrets. I thought I was helping, but now I realize I could’ve caused even more damage, including war.”
The case against Pauken stemmed from an undercover FBI operation in which he met with an unidentified U.S. government employee who had sought a job in the Trump administration. Pauken had been trying to recruit that person on Cathy’s behalf, prosecutors said. They claimed Cathy wanted the official to produce reports that she said would be delivered to Chinese President Xi Jinping and could influence policy.
Pauken never handled classified documents himself, according to court filings, but he faced up to 10 years in prison. His two-year sentence reflects the cooperation and guilty plea, though prosecutors emphasized the gravity of his actions.
“This case demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by foreign intelligence services seeking to exploit U.S. citizens who have access to people and information,” said a Justice Department spokesperson. “The FBI and our partners remain vigilant in countering such activities.”
Pauken’s legal team did not respond to requests for comment after the sentencing.
The case highlights the vulnerabilities that can arise when U.S. citizens with journalistic credentials are used by foreign intelligence services. Pauken’s role as a writer for Xinhua News provided cover for his activities, allowing him to travel freely and meet with sources without raising immediate suspicion.
A Decade in China
Pauken, who had lived in China since 2010, had built a career as a commentator and writer for Chinese state media. His conviction marks a rare case in which an American journalist has been sentenced for espionage-related activities on behalf of China.
Prosecutors said Pauken’s work was financially motivated, noting that he received at least $100,000 from Cathy. The money was paid for his recruitment efforts and for the reports he sent back to China.
At the time of his arrest, Pauken was recorded meeting the government employee at a Washington hotel. That meeting was part of the FBI’s sting operation, which ultimately led to his arrest.
The case has drawn attention to the delicate line between legitimate journalism and espionage, though prosecutors were clear that Pauken crossed that line.
“This sentence should serve as a warning to anyone who might consider using their American citizenship to aid foreign adversaries,” said Stamos. “The consequences are severe.”
Pauken’s sentencing comes amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese intelligence activities in the United States, as officials in Washington have repeatedly warned about efforts by Beijing to recruit Americans for espionage and influence operations.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/american-journalist-gets-prison-time-after-working-as-agent-of-ccp