NACDL - United States v. Petrova

United States v. Petrova

The indictment alleges that Ms. Petrova sought to enter the U.S. with undeclared biological specimens. She is a researcher at the Harvard Medical School and was entering the country with frog embryos used for her research. After Ms. Petrova allegedly denied possessing any "biological" material, she was detained and ultimately charged with smuggling and with related alleged false statements to CBP officers when questioned at Logan Airport in Boston.

Case Details

Case No.: 1:25-cr-10272
Case Filed: June 25, 2025
Jurisdiction: D. Me.
Charges: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 545
Judge: Sorokin, Leo T.
Defendant(s): Petrova, Kseniia
Defense Attorney: Fick, William W.

Key Topics in the Case

Prosecutorial Vindictiveness

Case Analysis

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Case Files

ECF: 1 - 05/12/25 - Government - Complaint

Complaint

a-complaint.pdf
ECF: 19 - 6/25/25 - Government - Indictment

Indictment

b-gov-uscourts-mad-286315-19-0.pdf
ECF: 45 - 12/19/25 - Defense - Motions for/against Discovery

Motion to Compel Discovery

c-gov-uscourts-mad-286315-45-0.pdf
ECF: 47 - 05/04/26 - Government - Motions for/against Discovery

Govt motion in opposition to compel discovery

d-gov-uscourts-mad-286314-47-0.pdf
ECF: 55 - 04/01/26 - Court - Court Orders

Magistrate's Decision granting motion to compel discovery re alleged vindictive prosecution, including instructions to grand jury

e-gov-uscourts-mad-286315-55-0_2.pdf
ECF: 63 - 05/01/26 - Government - Motions for/against Discovery

GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIONS TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S [Discovery] ORDER PURSUANT TO FED. R. CRIM. P. 59(a)

f-gov-uscourts-mad-286314-63-0.pdf
ECF: 67 - 06/01/26 - Defense - Motions for/against Discovery

Defendant's Responses to Government appeal of adverse discovery ruling

g-gov-uscourts-mad-286315-67-0.pdf
ECF: 72 - 06/12/26 - Government - Motions for/against Discovery

Government reply in support of appeal of magistrate's adverse discovery ruling

h-gov-uscourts-mad-286315-72-0.pdf

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