A Chinese national studying in the United States has been charged for using his drone to capture images of a military base.
The United States Justice Department has charged a Chinese national under the Espionage Act for taking photos of a military installation using a drone., which puts yet another wrinkle in the complicated relationship between the United States federal government and Chinese authorities.
When law enforcement arrived on the scene, Shi was understandably “very nervous,” and failed to provide a reasonable explanation for why he was there and flying a drone. The police explained to Shi that the fire department would need to retrieve the drone and that Shi should stay there until they arrived.The FBI later seized the drone and discovered images of the Newport News Shipyard and BAE Systems, a defense, aerospace, and security company located about 45 minutes away from the shipyard.
The DOJ charged Shi under two statutes so rarely used in legal proceedings that the presiding judge found only one reported case in precedent. One of the statutes bans photography of military installations using aircraft.Emily Berman
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Unusual Espionage Act Case Against a Drone PhotographerIn seemingly the first case of its kind, the US Justice Department has charged a Chinese national with using a drone to photograph a Virginia shipyard where the US Navy was assembling nuclear submarines.
Read more »
Photographer Smashes World Record for Fastest Drone Flight at 298 MPHA photographer has set the world record for the fastest drone flight after his custom aircraft achieved a staggering 298.47 miles per hour.
Read more »
Drone Bros: Two brothers helping Coldspring residents check on homes amidst flooding using droneIn some parts of Coldspring, just south of Lake Livingston, the water is still too high for people to return home. This has forced some residents to rely on the kindness of others.
Read more »
Man charged in AP photographer’s attack pleads guilty to assaulting officer during Capitol riotAn Oklahoma man pleaded guilty on Thursday to assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, where he also allegedly
Read more »
Man charged in AP photographer's attack pleads guilty to assaulting officer during Capitol riotAn Oklahoma man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, where he also allegedly pushed an Associated Press photographer over a wall.
Read more »
Man charged in AP photographer's attack pleads guilty to assaulting officer during Capitol riotAn Oklahoma man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, where he also allegedly pushed an Associated Press photographer over a wall.
Read more »