LAS VEGAS -- A Polish national was sentenced in Nevada after investigators said he unlawfully photographed and recorded U.S. military installations and equipment, drawing attention to the issue of unauthorized photography at sensitive military sites.
According to the Justice Department, Michal Miroslaw Rokita was sentenced April 20, to time served after pleading guilty to one count of photographing defense installations without authorization and one count of publication of photographs of defense installations without authorization.
“Unauthorized photography of military installations is a serious matter, and we’re committed to working with our law enforcement counterparts to protect sensitive sites, equipment and information,” said Special Agent Keaton Southwick, Special Agent in Charge of AFOSI Office of Special Projects (PJ) Detachment 1.
The sentencing followed an investigation by AFOSI PJ Det. 1 and the FBI, who collected photographs and recordings made at military sites in Nevada.
“This couldn’t have been done without the collaborative efforts we have with both the U.S. Attorney’s office and FBI field office in Las Vegas,” Southwick said.
According to court documents, Rokita traveled to the United States on a Polish passport with the intent to unlawfully take images and audio recordings of vital U.S. military installations and equipment.
From April 7-14, he photographed installations and equipment at the Nevada Test and Training Range and the Tonopah Test Range without permission. Both locations are designated as vital military installations under 18 U.S.C. § 795 and Executive Order No. 10104.
During that same period, Rokita met with a naturalized U.S. citizen and provided photographs and video and audio recordings to that individual to distribute online, officials said.
On April 11, Rokita also met with the individual in Las Vegas to participate in an online livestream to discuss his “recent recon mission,” according to court documents. During the livestream, the two showed and described many photographs and video recordings taken from the area.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig. The sentencing was announced by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Southwick and FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto.
“Sensitive and restricted military installations are protected for a reason,” Southwick said. “When someone unlawfully photographs and distributes images from those locations, we have a responsibility to investigate and neutralize the threats to our nation’s capabilities to help safeguard our country.”