University of Texas in Houston gastroenterology researcher Keping Xie, PhD, is under investigation for allegedly possessing child pornorgraphy and committing economic espionage, NBC News reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Xie is the subject of an FBI investigation because of his alleged involvement in the Chinese government's "Thousand Talents" science recruiting program, which has been linked to espionage.
2. The FBI began investigating Dr. Xie for allegedly tampering with a government record.
3. Police obtained a warrant and searched Dr. Xie's home and office, seizing 88 different technological devices. Two of the devices allegedly contained child pornography.
4. Dr. Xie resigned from his job after his home was searched, but before the alleged images were found by investigators.
5. Dr. Xie faces one state-brought charge of possession of child pornography. Dr. Xie denies the charge, according to his attorney. He surrendered his passport and is out on bail.
6. Dr. Xie's attorney told NBC News he wasn't aware of any investigation regarding espionage. Houston's FBI field office neither confirmed nor denied the investigation to NBC News.