Chinese national arrested at JFK after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Nebraska base

A Chinese nationalist was arrested astatine New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport aft national authorities accidental helium photographed delicate subject craft adjacent Offutt Air Force Base successful Nebraska and planned to people different installation arsenic helium prepared to permission the country.

Tianrui Liang, 21, is accused of violating a national instrumentality that restricts photographing defence installations without authorization, according to tribunal documents filed successful the Eastern District of New York.

Authorities accidental Liang was taken into custody April 7 portion attempting to committee an planetary flight, conscionable days aft a warrant was issued successful Nebraska.

The lawsuit centers connected enactment adjacent Offutt Air Force Base, location to U.S. Strategic Command — 1 of the Pentagon’s astir delicate installations.

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According to an FBI affidavit, investigators were alerted aft a witnesser reported seeing "a antheral holding a camera with a telescopic lens" adjacent the base, wherever craft are stationed connected the formation line.

Offutt hosts high-value reconnaissance and bid aircraft, including the RC-135 surveillance level and the E-4B "Nightwatch," often referred to arsenic the military’s "doomsday plane."

Federal agents accidental Liang aboriginal admitted to photographing respective craft astatine the base, "including the RC-135 and the E-4B."

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A U.S. Air Force E-4B assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., flies connected a grooming sortie implicit the Midwest, May, 15, 2024. The E-4B is simply a militarized mentation of the Boeing 747-200, consisting of 4 engines, a swept-wing design, and susceptible of long-range, high-altitude operations and in-flight aerial refueling. (U.S. Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble)

Liang told investigators helium utilized a "planespotter" website to place photography locations and said the images were for his "personal collection," according to the affidavit.

Authorities allege helium knowingly photographed restricted subject assets without permission.

"He knew it was amerciable to instrumentality pictures of the planes connected the ground," the affidavit states.

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U.S. subject unit usher an E-4B "Nightwatch" aircraft, known arsenic the "doomsday plane," connected the tarmac. Federal authorities accidental akin craft were photographed adjacent Offutt Air Force Base successful Nebraska arsenic portion of an probe into a Chinese nationalist arrested successful New York. (Chris Machian /Omaha World-Herald via AP)

Investigators said a consequent reappraisal of his camera revealed "numerous photographs of planes located connected the OAFB flightline," including images of subject craft parked connected the base.

Liang was a pupil astatine Glasgow University successful Scotland, according to investigators, and had precocious traveled done Canada earlier entering the United States.

Authorities accidental Liang entered the United States via Canada and was aboriginal recovered adjacent Offutt Air Force Base successful Nebraska. Investigators allege helium planned to question to Oklahoma to photograph further craft astatine Tinker Air Force Base, including the E-4B.

Investigators said Liang specifically sought retired locations wherever helium could presumption and photograph craft from extracurricular subject installations.

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The instrumentality prohibits photographing subject installations without support from a basal commander. Prosecutors accidental determination is "probable origin to believe" Liang photographed craft astatine Offutt Air Force Base without that approval.

The affidavit does not allege Liang was acting connected behalf of immoderate overseas government.