In Brooklyn federal court this week, Michael McMahon, 57, of Mahwah, New Jersey, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $11,000 for acting as an illegal agent of China and participating in a stalking conspiracy, officials stated.
McMahon, a former NYPD sergeant turned private investigator, was convicted alongside Zhu Yong and Congying Zheng in June 2023 for helping the Chinese government pressure a U.S. resident, “John Doe #1,” to return to China under its transnational repatriation campaign, “Operation Fox Hunt,” officials stated.
From 2016 to 2019, McMahon surveilled and tracked John Doe #1 and his family, relaying sensitive information to Chinese officials. He followed John Doe #1’s ailing father across New Jersey to uncover their address, which led to a home visit by Zheng and another conspirator, who attempted to enter the home and left a threatening note.
McMahon admitted knowing his clients wanted to bring John Doe #1 back to China to prosecute him. He joked via text about a potential abduction and suggested harassment tactics, including parking outside the victim’s home.
McMahon was paid over $19,000 and funneled the money through his son’s bank account to hide the source, officials stated.
Zhu and Zheng received 24- and 16-month sentences, respectively, in January 2025. Three other co-defendants pleaded guilty and await sentencing.