A Chinese man pleaded guilty to unlawfully capturing photos along the perimeter of Whiteman Air Force Base on Tuesday, April 21.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Qilin Wu, 35, pleaded guilty to U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris to one count of taking photographs of a vital military installation and military equipment without authorization.
Federal law indicates Wu can be sentenced up to one year in federal prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
The Western District of Missouri charged Wu on Jan. 7.
Air Force patrolmen responded to the area and found Wu, who stated he was there to observe the B-2 Spirit aircraft. Patrolmen informed Wu that he was not permitted to take photos of the institution.
The following day, the AFOSI was notified that the same van was at the perimeter of the base. Upon contact, Wu admitted to taking videos of the B-2 Spirit, as well as numerous photos around the Whiteman AFB perimeter, a gate and military equipment.
Investigators located 18 images on Wu’s phone. He also admitted to photographing another Air Force Base and its aircraft.
Court documents indicate Wu illegally entered the United States on June 22, 2023, near Nogales, Arizona. He was arrested for illegally entering the country, but was released due to a lack of detention space and scheduled for immigration removal proceedings on Feb. 9, 2027.
