The person at the center of this case
Ye, Jian (charged defendant)
Cold Case · Open
12 years waiting · since 2013
Ye, Jian
Justice for Ye, Jian (charged defendant) — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Why did Ye, Jian flee the United States, and what is his current location given reports of possible travel to China or Argentina?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific inbred corn seed samples or intellectual property were successfully transferred, and can they be traced to Chinese agricultural operations?
👤
person
Lead #3What were the roles and current whereabouts of the four co-conspirators: Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, and Wang Lei?
Ye, Jian is wanted for his alleged role in a conspiracy to steal valuable corn seed intellectual property from major U.S. agricultural companies including DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds between 2011 and 2012. The stolen inbred seed lines, worth an estimated $30-40 million each and representing 5-8 years of research, were allegedly transported to China to benefit a China-based seed company. Ye, Jian fled the United States after being charged in December 2013 and is believed to have traveled to China or Argentina, making him a significant international flight risk in this trade secrets theft case.
Case
#612
United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa; FBI Counterintelligence
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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.
📞
contact
Lead #4How did the conspiracy operate across international borders, and what communication methods were used between the U.S. operatives and the China-based seed company?
💡
clue
Lead #5What triggered the investigation, and are there records of suspicious seed purchases or genetic material transfers from the targeted U.S. companies?
Have information about any of these leads?
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 concludes 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
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:June 14, 2026