Chinese student pleads guilty to taking photos of restricted area at Offutt

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Lincoln Journal Star

Lori Pilger 2 hrs ago

A 21-year-old Chinese student has pleaded guilty to photographing a defense installation for taking photos of planes at Offutt Air Force Base.

Tianrui Liang faces up to a year of custody and a fine of up to $100,000 at his sentencing in U.S. District Court in Omaha in June.

At a plea hearing there Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Lierman said on March 31 Liang was seen photographing several planes, including the RC-135 and the E-4B, that were in a restricted area of Offutt using a camera with a telescopic lens from a public road east of the perimeter.

An FBI special agent interviewed Liang, who admitted photographing the planes on the ground, knowing it was illegal.


The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, colloquially known as the "Doomsday Plane," is meant to maintain continuity of command during a nuclear exchange. Only four are known to be in existence, based out of Offutt Air Force Base.

Courtesy photo, Airwolfhound on Flickr



Read more: http://archive.today/xxkZV

[unc70]

1. Lots of photos of these planes are online

You can find images of these planes (and almost any plane) online. Also their flight histories. There is a large and active hobbyist community worldwide.

[Jacson6]

2. OMG! I used to take pictures of F-14's and E-3 AWACs in San diego, ca from the highway.

It was next to the naval air base. Thankfully I wasn't charged as a teenager and having my life destroyed. Show me the man and I will show you his crime, indeed.

[ruet]

3. Why would you plead guilty for this?

Assuming the article is correct, if you can see it with your eyes, from a public area, you can photograph it. There must be something else to the story.