LOS ANGELES -- A Chinese national who piloted a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base during a military satellite launch was sentenced this month to four months in federal custody, time he had already served, and now faces deportation.
The man, Yinpiao Zhou, 34, of Brentwood, California, pleaded guilty March 10, to flying a small drone into restricted airspace Nov. 30, following the nighttime launch of a National Reconnaissance Office satellite.
During the investigation, Special Agents later uncovered aerial photographs on his devices, including images of locations in the United States and China.
The case, which federal authorities described as a threat to national security, was the result of a months-long investigation by the FBI, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Space Launch Delta 30 security forces.
“This case was built on close coordination with our counterparts at the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and Space Launch Delta 30 team,” said Special Agent Michael Wilson, AFOSI Det. 804 commander. “From the moment the suspect was identified, our shared goal was to ensure a thorough investigation that upheld national security.”
Zhou was initially taken into custody Dec. 9, at San Francisco International Airport, while attempting to board a flight to China. He has been held in custody since. As part of a plea agreement, a second charge, failure to register an aircraft not providing transportation, was dismissed.
The 30th Security Forces Squadron, along with FBI capabilities, tracked the drone’s flight into restricted airspace and located Zhou at the park with the drone concealed in his jacket. He admitted to piloting the device and installing software to override built-in altitude restrictions.
A forensic analysis of Zhou’s drone and electronic devices by AFOSI uncovered more than 2,000 geolocated photographs, including aerial images of Vandenberg SFB, as well as sites in Texas, Arkansas and China.
Special Agents also found evidence Zhou had conducted online searches for drone flying rules over the space base, Wilson said, and exchanged messages on a Chinese social media app discussing software hacks for drone altitude limits.
Zhou initially pleaded not guilty to both charges in January. However, under the March plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the airspace violation and was sentenced to four months in jail, one year of supervised release, $200 fine; and a $25 special assessment.
“The priority was ensuring Zhou was held accountable and he would not pose a future threat,” Wilson said.
According to the Justice Department, the plea agreement also said Zhou’s conviction could lead to removal from the United States, permanent inadmissibility and denial of naturalization.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kedar S. Bhatia of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Trial Attorney Benjamin Koenigsfeld of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, as well as support from U.S. Customs and Immigration Services.
“Safeguarding our installations and national security is at the core of the AFOSI mission,” Wilson said. “This case highlights the coordination and professionalism required to respond to emerging threats.”