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A Chinese citizen arrested in April at John F. Kennedy International Airport for allegedly taking photos of aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base entered a guilty plea in federal court.Tianrui Liang, 21, pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of photographing or sketching defense installations last Thursday. His sentencing date is now set for June 18 in Omaha.Liang was arrested on April 7 by agents in New York.According to federal court documents, investigators believe Liang photographed Offutt Air Force Base on March 31. Witnesses say Liang was seen pulling off to the side of Harlan Lewis Road, holding a camera with a telescopic lens, taking photos of the Offutt Air Force Base flightline and aircraft.According to an affidavit, Liang allegedly admitted to taking photos of several planes. He told investigators he knew it was illegal to take pictures of the planes on the ground, but said he did it anyway, to see the “status” of the plane, and that it was for his personal collection. Court documents detail that Liang made a stop at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and had plans to travel to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, following his stop at Offutt Air Force Base.Offutt Air Force Base tells KETV that officials are aware of the reports but are trying to collect more details.The affidavit states Liang was a student in Scotland and had a Chinese passport. Liang was in the U.S. on a valid B1/B2 visa.If convicted, Liang could spend one year in prison.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
A Chinese citizen arrested in April at John F. Kennedy International Airport for allegedly taking photos of aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base entered a guilty plea in federal court.
Tianrui Liang, 21, pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of photographing or sketching defense installations last Thursday. His sentencing date is now set for June 18 in Omaha.
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Liang was arrested on April 7 by agents in New York.
According to federal court documents, investigators believe Liang photographed Offutt Air Force Base on March 31. Witnesses say Liang was seen pulling off to the side of Harlan Lewis Road, holding a camera with a telescopic lens, taking photos of the Offutt Air Force Base flightline and aircraft.
According to an affidavit, Liang allegedly admitted to taking photos of several planes. He told investigators he knew it was illegal to take pictures of the planes on the ground, but said he did it anyway, to see the “status” of the plane, and that it was for his personal collection.
Court documents detail that Liang made a stop at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and had plans to travel to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, following his stop at Offutt Air Force Base.
Offutt Air Force Base tells KETV that officials are aware of the reports but are trying to collect more details.
The affidavit states Liang was a student in Scotland and had a Chinese passport. Liang was in the U.S. on a valid B1/B2 visa.
If convicted, Liang could spend one year in prison.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
