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Harvard researcher charged with trying to smuggle frog embryos into US

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Published  May 16, 2025 3:26pm EDT
Unusual
FOX Local

FILE - A Harvard University sweatshirt hangs on display at a souvenir shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as visitors gather in Harvard Square. (Photo by Michael Fein/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born Harvard researcher, was detained by immigration officials in February.
    • She has now been charged with smuggling goods into the U.S. after allegedly failing to declare frog embryo samples.
    • A federal judge has ordered her transfer from Louisiana to Massachusetts, where the charges were filed.

A federal judge has ordered the transfer of Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher Kseniia Petrova from Louisiana to Massachusetts, where she now faces a federal smuggling charge.

The 30-year-old has been in immigration detention since February. On Wednesday, she was charged with one count of smuggling goods into the United States, a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Why she was detained

The backstory:

Petrova had returned to the U.S. from France, where she visited a laboratory and obtained frog embryo samples for research. Upon arriving at Boston Logan International Airport, she was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Officials later canceled her visa, citing concerns that she tried to bring biological materials into the country without declaring them.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Petrova allegedly lied to federal officers and intended to avoid declaring the materials. DHS claimed messages found on her phone indicated plans to smuggle the samples through customs.

What they're saying:

In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Petrova denied any intent to deceive border officials. Her attorney, Gregory Romanovsky, maintains that there was no legal justification for canceling her visa or detaining her.

Petrova has petitioned for her release and was awaiting a hearing date when the smuggling charge was filed. Romanovsky said the transfer to Massachusetts is expected to take place within weeks.

What's next:

Harvard University released a brief statement saying it is "continuing to monitor the situation." Petrova remains affiliated with the institution but has not been publicly disciplined.

The Source: This article is based on Associated Press reporting and official government statements.

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