By Faun Grey
A Los Angeles-based Chinese citizen has been apprehended for allegedly operating a drone above Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California, and obtaining aerial snapshots of the military facility.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported on Monday that authorities detained Yinpiao Zhou, 39, at San Francisco International Airport as he attempted to board a flight destined for China. According to federal court documents, Zhou is charged with breaching national defense airspace and failing to register a non-transportation aircraft.
The event took place on November 30, when drone detection systems at Vandenberg Space Force Base spotted an unmanned aerial device flying overhead. Officials traced the drone to its launch site at Ocean Park, a public space adjacent to the base.
Court documents reveal that during its approximately hour-long flight, the drone ascended to nearly one mile above ground level. Base security located Zhou and another unidentified person in the vicinity. According to the court affidavit, security personnel discovered Zhou concealing the drone within his jacket.
Further investigation uncovered multiple aerial photographs of the base captured by Zhou's drone. A search of Zhou's mobile device revealed planning evidence, including a Google search from the previous month for "Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules." Investigators also found text message exchanges with an associate discussing techniques to modify the drone to bypass altitude limits.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Zhou, who holds permanent U.S. residency, had last traveled to China in February. His companion during the incident had arrived in the United States from China on November 26.
While additional information about Zhou's associate remains undisclosed by the DOJ, a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., indicated they were confirming the details.
After his arrest, Zhou appeared before U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim initially granted his release on personal recognizance, allowing him to leave custody without posting bail provided he appears at future court proceedings.
Federal prosecutors have challenged this ruling, and Zhou remains in federal custody pending further decisions. His arraignment is scheduled for the upcoming weeks at a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Zhou has yet to enter his plea.
This incident emerges amid growing Washington concerns regarding potential Chinese surveillance activities targeting crucial military and government facilities. In a related case earlier this year, Wenheng Zhao, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, received a 27-month prison sentence for transmitting classified Navy operational details to a Chinese intelligence operative.
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Un-X Network covers all things unexplained. www.unxnetwork.com
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