Russian scientist Kseniia Petrova, already facing deportation, charged with smuggling frog embryos into U.S.

Boston — A Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher, who was already facing deportation back to Russia, was charged Wednesday with trying to smuggle frog embryos into the country. Kseniia Petrova , 30, was sent to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Louisiana after her February arrest. She continues to await a judge's decision on whether she will be deported to Russia, where she fears she will be imprisoned or worse. A hearing on her case was held Wednesday in Vermont.

But in the case's latest twist, federal prosecutors charged her with one count of smuggling goods into the United States. It says she was taken into custody Wednesday. If convicted, Petrova faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

A lawyer for Petrova could not be reached for comment. It is unclear if she is being moved from the ICE facility.