Chinese Aliens Indicted on Naturalization and Firearms Charges

ST. LOUIS - Two Chinese aliens turned themselves in Sept. 17 on charges that accuse one of a naturalization crime and both of a firearm crime. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri made the announcement. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted the investigation.

Biqi "Ashley" Huang, 25, and Wentian Du, 35, were indicted on Sept. 9. Huang faces one count of making a false statement in a naturalization proceeding and one count of fraudulent acquisition of a firearm. Du faces one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges Huang lied under oath in a matter relating to naturalization between Aug. 1, 2025, and July 27, 2026. She also lied to a firearms dealer on May 28, 2026, in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Du illegally possessed a firearm between June 1 and Aug. 26, 2026, the indictment says.

According to court documents, Huang entered the U.S. on a student visa July 13, 2023, and attended graduate school in St. Louis. She married on May 22, 2024, and received lawful permanent resident status after misrepresenting the status of her marriage during an Oct. 14, 2025, interview and on her Green Card application. Du was issued a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa in September 2022 and entered the U.S. on Oct. 2, 2022. About a year later, he applied for asylum.

In June, Huang moved to New York and met Du. She then applied to join the U.S. Air Force, telling a recruiter that she wanted to enlist to obtain citizenship as soon as possible, divorce her current spouse, and marry Du. During the investigation, FBI agents discovered that Du tried to purchase a firearm on Oct. 18, 2025, but the purchase was denied. Du also rented a firearm at least 13 times, and his credit card was used on May 29, 2026, to buy a 9mm pistol. Huang filled out a form falsely stating that she was the actual buyer of the firearm.

Huang faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both on the false statement charge. Du and Huang each face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both on the firearm charges.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The FBI investigated the case, with the assistance of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and USCIS.

To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.