The US government is currently conducting an investigation into possible additional offenses committed by Yinpiao Zhou, a 39-year-old Chinese national. Zhou was arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. As a lawful permanent resident of the US, Zhou has been charged with failing to register an aircraft not providing transportation and violating national defense airspace, according to the US attorney’s office for the central district of California.
Authorities are currently investigating Zhou for potential additional offenses, as indicated by the ongoing court filings. This suggests that there are concerns that his involvement may extend beyond the initial charges. The implications of his actions on national security are now being carefully considered.
ZHOU’s Alleged Intent
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Zhou, although not accused of espionage for China, has caught the attention of an FBI agent involved in the case, who emphasized the knowledge of tactics used by foreign adversarial nations to gather intelligence on military infrastructure. This emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the necessity for a comprehensive investigation into Zhou’s activities.
Arrest Details and Charges
Yinpiao Zhou was caught on December 9 as he tried to board a flight to China. The arrest became public knowledge when a press release was issued, revealing the unlawful nature of Zhou’s actions. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stressed the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This defendant supposedly flew a drone over a military base and captured images of the base’s layout, a clear violation of the law.”
Drone Activity Detected Above Vandenberg Space Force Base
According to the press release, on November 30, an unauthorized drone was detected flying above Vandenberg Space Force Base. The drone, which originated from Ocean Park near the base, operated for approximately one hour and reached an altitude of nearly one mile above ground level. Base security personnel swiftly took action and apprehended Zhou and an accomplice. They found the concealed drone in Zhou’s jacket.
Evidence Collected
A federal search warrant led to the discovery of multiple aerial photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base taken by Zhou’s drone. Furthermore, Zhou’s cellphone contained evidence of a prior Google search for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules” and messages discussing modifying the drone for improved flight capabilities. These findings raise serious concerns about Zhou’s intention to gather sensitive information regarding the military installation.
Unidentified Aircraft Sightings
There have been reports of unidentified aircraft sightings across New Jersey and other parts of the country. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged that although some of the sightings may involve drones, others could be manned aircraft mistakenly identified as drones. Mayorkas also clarified that there is no known foreign involvement related to the sightings in the northeast.