A Chinese language nationwide was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport after federal authorities say he photographed delicate army plane close to Offutt Air Power Base in Nebraska and deliberate to focus on one other set up as he ready to go away the nation.
Tianrui Liang, 21, is accused of violating a federal regulation that restricts photographing protection installations with out authorization, in line with courtroom paperwork filed within the Jap District of New York.
Authorities say Liang was taken into custody April 7 whereas making an attempt to board a global flight, simply days after a warrant was issued in Nebraska.
The case facilities on exercise close to Offutt Air Power Base, house to US Strategic Command — one of many Pentagon’s most delicate installations.
Based on an FBI affidavit, investigators have been alerted after a witness reported seeing “a male holding a digital camera with a telescopic lens” close to the bottom, the place plane are stationed on the flight line.
Offutt hosts high-value reconnaissance and command plane, together with the RC-135 surveillance aircraft and the E-4B “Nightwatch,” also known as the army’s “doomsday aircraft.”
Federal brokers say Liang later admitted to photographing a number of plane on the base, “together with the RC-135 and the E-4B.”
Liang instructed investigators he used a “planespotter” web site to determine images places and mentioned the photographs have been for his “private assortment,” in line with the affidavit.
Authorities allege he knowingly photographed restricted army belongings with out permission.
“He knew it was unlawful to take footage of the planes on the bottom,” the affidavit states.
Investigators mentioned a subsequent evaluation of his digital camera revealed “quite a few images of planes positioned on the OAFB flightline,” together with photos of army plane parked on the bottom.
Liang was a pupil at Glasgow College in Scotland, in line with investigators, and had just lately traveled via Canada earlier than coming into the USA.
Authorities say Liang entered the USA by way of Canada and was later discovered close to Offutt Air Power Base in Nebraska.
Investigators allege he deliberate to journey to Oklahoma to {photograph} extra plane at Tinker Air Power Base, together with the E-4B.
Investigators mentioned Liang particularly sought out places the place he may view and {photograph} plane from outdoors army installations.
The regulation prohibits photographing army installations with out approval from a base commander. Prosecutors say there may be “possible trigger to consider” Liang photographed plane at Offutt Air Power Base with out that approval.
The affidavit doesn’t allege Liang was appearing on behalf of any international authorities.
