The person at the center of this case
Intellectual Property of U.S. Seed Companies (DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, LG Seeds)
Cold Case · Open
12 years waiting · since 2013
Ye, Jian
Justice for Intellectual Property of U.S. Seed Companies (DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, LG Seeds) — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where has Ye, Jian fled? Intelligence suggests possible locations in China or Argentina.
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific inbred corn seed genetics were successfully stolen and transferred to China?
👤
person
Lead #3Who are the other four co-conspirators (Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, Wang Lei) and have they been apprehended?
Ye, Jian is wanted for his alleged role in a conspiracy to steal valuable corn seed intellectual property from major U.S. seed companies (DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds) between 2011 and 2012, with the stolen genetics intended for a China-based seed company. The conspiracy involved five individuals who allegedly targeted proprietary "inbred" or "parent" line seeds, each representing 5-8 years of research and $30-40 million in value. Ye, Jian fled before facing charges and is considered a significant flight risk with possible ties to China and Argentina.
Case
#612
United States (Multi-state)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4How did the conspiracy operate logistically to transport physical seed samples or genetic information across international borders?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets Caution: From approximately April 2011 to approximately December 2012, Ye, Jian, Li, Shaoming , Lin, Yong , Wang, Hongwei , and Wang, Lei allegedly conspired to steal the intellectual property of several United States-based seed manufacturing companies and transport the intellectual property to the People's Republic of China for the benefit of their China-based seed company. The 5 individuals are alleged to have conspired to steal “inbred” corn seed from Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds.
This “inbred” or “parent” line of seed constitutes valuable intellectual property of a seed producer. The estimated loss on an “inbred” line of seed is approximately 5 to 8 years of research and a minimum of 30 to 40 million dollars.
After Ye, Jian was charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest in the United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa, on December 17, 2013. Remarks: Ye, Jian should be considered an international flight risk.
He has possibly visited China and Argentina, and he speaks Mandarin and English.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2011-04-01
Conspiracy Period Begins
Alleged conspiracy to steal trade secrets begins approximately April 2011
🕵️
2012-12-31
Conspiracy Period Ends
Alleged conspiracy period ends approximately December 2012
🕵️
2013-12-17
Federal Warrant Issued
Federal warrant issued for Ye, Jian's arrest in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa for conspiracy to steal trade secrets
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 10, 2026