A Chinese national was arrested April 7 after he allegedly illegally photographed U.S. Air Force planes at a military base in Nebraska, authorities said.
Tianrui Liang, 21, was charged with illegally photographing Air Force planes at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, which is a key base in the Air Force’s Strategic Command, according to a Justice Department (DOJ) press release. Liang crossed the U.S.-Canada border on March 28, 2026, from Vancouver to Washington on a valid B1/B2 visa, the DOJ said.
He was also allegedly at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota ahead of visiting Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. In addition, Liang was interested in visiting Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Chinese National Arrested at JFK International Airport on Federal Charges for Illegally Photographing Military Aircraft at Nebraska Air Force Base
“Any individuals who unlawfully attempt to acquire sensitive information about military aircraft located in the District of Nebraska… pic.twitter.com/LGufiZRZKt
— National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice (@DOJNatSec) April 23, 2026
Liang allegedly drove to New York after he was confronted by the FBI, according to a complaint affidavit filed in the District of Nebraska, the DOJ stated. The FBI obtained a warrant and later arrested Liang at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Liang was attempting to leave the U.S. for Glasgow, Scotland, where he goes to school, according to the AP.
The FBI claimed that Liang admitted he exited a car on a public road to photograph a RC-135 and an E-4B at Offutt Air Force Base, the outlet reported. Liang claimed the photos were for his personal collection, the FBI stated. Liang allegedly told FBI investigators that it’s “legal to take pictures of the sky, but he knew it was illegal to take pictures of the planes on the ground,” the AP reported. (RELATED: Officials Bust Alleged International Car Theft Ring In Nation’s Capital, Charge Several Suspects)
After his arrest, Liang appeared at a federal magistrate court in New York, and a judge released him. While the same judge denied a government request for a stay so that federal prosecutors in Nebraska could appeal his release to a federal judge, prosecutors managed to successfully appeal Liang’s release, the DOJ said. Liang was returned to federal custody on April 10 and is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.
If convicted, Liang faces up to one year in prison. He could potentially face more serious charges following the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.
U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods reacted to Liang’s arrest in the DOJ’s press release, saying, “Any individuals who unlawfully attempt to acquire sensitive information about military aircraft located in the District of Nebraska will be held maximumly accountable under federal law.”
Liang allegedly photographed the military planes with a camera using a telescopic lens, according to KETV, citing witnesses.