Chinese citizen uses drone to photograph US Navy shipyard

[mavic3usa]

Not only that, but having a translator prevents the defense from later claiming he didn't understand the questions.

Unfortunately if you agree to a plea, you'll likely lose the ability to make that claim regarding your guilt or innocence since any good plea bargain would close that door. However, at the time of sentencing after you are a convicted, when you were told you would mostly likely get a suspended sentence (which is why you caved in so easily) and the judge says F* that, you get 20 years....then, you have appeal rights and language translation and being misled or even lied to is one of them likely in this type of case.

 

[Torque]

There's a million reasons to fly a drone and to do with your life whatever you want, specially when no pics were even found in the drone.

Pics were found on the drone. I had to read this line twice, it is worded oddly: "No pictures were taken by SHI’s drone on the night of January 5, 2024, that did not contain U.S. naval vessels located at BAE Systems Shipbuilding and General Dynamics NASSCO in Norfolk, Virginia."

In other words, every photo taken that night contained US naval vessels at BAE Systems...

 

[mavic3usa]

Pics were found on the drone. I had to read this line twice, it is worded oddly: "No pictures were taken by SHI’s drone on the night of January 5, 2024, that did not contain U.S. naval vessels located at BAE Systems Shipbuilding and General Dynamics NASSCO in Norfolk, Virginia."

In other words, every photo taken that night contained US naval vessels at BAE Systems...

Since we don't know the educational level or the language skills or the translation ability of the staff writer for the article, there's no way to know for certain what is meant by that statement or what the source is. Which is why I keep mentioning that it's too bad we can't see the facts of this case for ourselves.

Personally I believe there were "ships" and other things in the "some" of the photos taken but I believe the government wasn't able to make a case for nefarious intent and/or the images did not rise to a "spying" level meaning a million others people probably saw the same things he saw (but didn't take a picture of it). A nice photo of the harbor, the water, the setting sun, and in the tiny corner there's a secret nuclear sub stack peaking out that they left out in full view.....no trial = we don't get to know.

 

[Chip]

A nice photo of the harbor, the water, the setting sun, and in the tiny corner there's a secret nuclear sub stack peaking out that they left out in full view.....no trial = we don't get to know.

One problem with your theory. No midnight sun except in Alaska. The guy bought drone and promptly flew to Virginia to photograph nothing but US Naval vessels at midnight. Who does that? Then flees across country and tries to board one way flight to China. Again, who does that?

Since we don't know the educational level or the language skills or the translation ability of the staff writer for the article, there's no way to know for certain what is meant by that statement or what the source is. Which is why I keep mentioning that it's too bad we can't see the facts of this case for ourselves.

We do not need to know the education or language skills of the staff writer. The court file has a statement reciting the relevant facts signed by the defendant and his lawyer just like in every other plea case in America. This guy was given velvet glove treatment.

 

[mavic3usa]

One problem with your theory. No midnight sun except in Alaska. The guy bought drone and promptly flew to Virginia to photograph nothing but US Naval vessels at midnight. Who does that? Then flees across country and tries to board one way flight to China. Again, who does that?

But that wasn't my point, the circumstances. The content of the photos is the real question and while it is suspicious, it's not a crime unless you can prove the intent and it sounds like the government couldn't prove that beyond a reasonable doubt which is why he's not a spy still in jail. However....

We do not need to know the education or language skills of the staff writer. The court file has a statement reciting the relevant facts signed by the defendant and his lawyer just like in every other plea case in America. This guy was given velvet glove treatment.

It would be nice to see the actual court files and not depend on the words of the person who wrote the article. I'll go back and check because I didn't see it but if you have it to point out. Not sure I completely believe whatever is released to the public because we all know it is in the best interest of cases like this one to avoid having to provide the true facts to the public which again factors into offering up a plea.

I disagree with "velvet glove treatment" I absolutely believe they think he was up to no good, embarrassed they didn't catch him, found out it was a nothing burger, but instead of letting him go about his way, try to send a message to China. I can almost assure you if you are a non-citizen and especially a Chinese citizen and you buy a drone from Best Buy or Amazon, the government will get an alert because you are on a list. No way to prove that but our government would be remiss if it weren't.

 

[AMann]

If the area isn't a no fly zone, and isn't a geo locked space, it's not illegal to fly or photograph. If I was building something classified, I wouldn't do it out in the open.

Hmmm, and who is responsible for initiating or disabling the geofencing? I’m not a conspiracist, but it sure would be easy for those in charge of geofencing to temporarily unlock one for nefarious reasons, wouldn’t it?

And believe it or not, as a pilot, you must use common sense sometimes. Just because there are no speed limit signs doesn’t mean you can speed. And as far as most military bases are concerned, it’s pretty much a given that anywhere there are nuclear or other sensitive armaments or other secret stuff being moved or stored, that area is most likely subject to photography restrictions and has signs on fences prohibiting even still photography. Flying over somewhere like that to take pictures was just asking for trouble.

 

[anotherlab]

I’m not a conspiracist, but it sure would be easy for those in charge of geofencing to temporarily unlock one for nefarious reasons, wouldn’t it?

That is a the definition of being a conspiracist.

 

[anotherlab]

There are multiple ways of looking at this.

He was recruited by the Chinese government to take pictures and video of military vessels under construction

or...

He is a college student who thought he was doing some cool and panicked.

We don't have the background information. The information out there suggests the former. But he did everything so badly, it seems like he was the worst spy ever.

 

[AMann]

That is a the definition of being a conspiracist.

Well, at least what I posted is true. I mearly implied it would be easy for someone who is managing the actual programming of geofencing to edit them as the US isn’t programming Geofencing for DJI, DJI gets its data from the FAA and AirMap to delineate, edit and program its own geofencing for its customers.

And yes, they could’ve made a mistake on this one and failed to geofence the facility correctly.

 

[mavic3usa]

This is what might happen to you if you go near a military installation with a camera (likely a lot more with a drone). I don't condone or support any of this and this is not me or my video but it popped up on my feed recently; probably because Goggles *knows*.....

Anyway, watch all or parts at your own leisure, it's just one example of thousands; no judgment.

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[MS Coast]

This is what might happen to you if you go near a military installation with a camera (likely a lot more with a drone).

"This is what might happen to you if you go near a military installation with a camera" and behave like a jackass while provoking a confrontation.

35 seconds was all I cared to watch.

 

[mavic3usa]

"This is what might happen to you if you go near a military installation with a camera" and behave like a jackass while provoking a confrontation.

35 seconds was all I cared to watch.

Don't pay attention to the victim; the video was posted so you can get a feel for what the federal agents are looking for, what they might ask, or how they might act. Every law enforcement encounter has a good guy and a bad guy and everywhere in between; let's see what we can learn for the better half. I can almost assure you, every single lawful "engagement" between a law enforcement agent and the public is likely to be characterized as a "confrontation" which is why it is important to watch the video and maybe learn what a typical contact might look like; or it might be better or it might be worse. Like I said, no judgment, but for sure, I don't call other Americans who are exercising their Constitutional rights a jackass, I have too much respect for this country to believe that anyone who redresses their government is a jackass even if it doesn't look "pretty." If you thought the first 35 seconds was bad then no wonder.....oh, never mind.

 

[MS Coast]

Don't pay attention to the victim; the video was posted so you can get a feel for what the federal agents are looking for, what they might ask, or how they might act. Every law enforcement encounter has a good guy and a bad guy and everywhere in between; let's see what we can learn for the better half. I can almost assure you, every single lawful "engagement" between a law enforcement agent and the public is likely to be characterized as a "confrontation" which is why it is important to watch the video and maybe learn what a typical contact might look like; or it might be better or it might be worse. Like I said, no judgment, but for sure, I don't call other Americans who are exercising their Constitutional rights a jackass, I have too much respect for this country to believe that anyone who redresses their government is a jackass even if it doesn't look "pretty." If you thought the first 35 seconds was bad then no wonder.....oh, never mind.

Do not question my respect for this country or or my fellow citizens. Do not suggest that I said anyone who "redresses their government" is a jackass.

In the interest of objectivity, I loaded the video and watched more. I find no valuable information or insights.

This seems to be just another of the self-described auditors who manufacture and painstakingly document situations like this for the sake of online attention and Youtube clicks, while telling themselves they're protecting the downtrodden common man from their government.

 

[mavic3usa]

In the interest of objectivity, I loaded the video and watched more. I find no valuable information or insights.

This seems to be just another of the self-described auditors who manufacture and painstakingly document situations like this for the sake of online attention and Youtube clicks, while telling themselves they're protecting the downtrodden common man from their government.

Ok, it might not be valuable to you; that's fine.

So you agree it is ok to photograph a military installation if there are no visible signs posted, right?
Do you believe it's ok for federal law enforcement to demand your ID for "taking photos of the base?"

Just questions, you or anyone else are free to respond or not. I know some people can't get past the youtube effect (it hurts their eyes and youtube audio hurts their ears) but I haven't found any other ways to easily and quickly review an encounter unless standing right there and listening to the conversation or reviewing if available bodycam footage. You can only go so far with reading a new story (that is poorly written).

In thread, we've talked about photographing military installation; here's an example of what might happen, open to comments. If he were flying his drone, how would this be any different?

 

[MS Coast]

So you agree it is ok to photograph a military installation if there are no visible signs posted, right?

No. It's impossible to place signs at every location from which someone might photograph sites that have prohibitions against drone flights over them. The regulation establishes the prohibition, not a sign.

Do you believe it's ok for federal law enforcement to demand your ID for "taking photos of the base?"

Yes. FAA regulations require that drone operators provide identification and documentation to any law enforcement upon demand.

 

[Chip]

In thread, we've talked about photographing military installation; here's an example of what might happen, open to comments. If he were flying his drone, how would this be any different?

We are talking about Bangor Submarine Base home port to submarines which are carrying fully operational nuclear weapons. I am happy with the LEO's actions and statements and would expect nothing less. I would say this "auditor" is foolish for probing nuclear national security and baiting the officers but he actually did admit at the end that the LEOs handled him correctly. My assumption is that the response would have been far more serious and consequential had the "auditor" been flying an unregistered drone over the subs at midnight, then fled the scene after crashing, then drove across country and attempted to board an international flight out of the country like the "student" in the OP.

 

[Clipper707]

Are they referring to the naval base that I can see in clear detail on Google Earth? It might actually be that a student with a drone took some photos of the ships and didn't realize they should check their privacy.

Google Earth shows my car in the driveway of the house I moved from 4 years ago.

I reject the argument that satellites and Google Earth equal realtime intel.

 

[anotherlab]

Are they referring to the naval base that I can see in clear detail on Google Earth? It might actually be that a student with a drone took some photos of the ships and didn't realize they should check their privacy.

The student's actions during and after flying the drone were suspicious. He may have just be a student who did a series of dumb things, but that will be resolved through the legal system.

Google Earth can show you recent activity, but the imagery is not updated in real time. China has satellites, they can get near real-time imagery at a higher precision than what is commercially available.

 

[Chip]

The judge did not believe the "student's" story and sentenced him to six months in federal custody.

 

[Chip]

The story of the "student" who flew a drone over the naval base in Norfolk at midnight and then tried to flee the country is mentioned in this interesting article:​

Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped.​

MSN