Washington, DC [US], January 10 (ANI): United States Attorney R. Matthew Price announced that a criminal complaint has been filed against 35-year-old Qilin Wu in the Western District of Missouri. Wu is accused of unlawfully photographing a critical military facility and its assets without permission, in violation of US law, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
The complaint states that on December 2, 2025, the Whiteman Air Force Base Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) responded to reports of a suspicious minivan with a Massachusetts license plate near the base perimeter. Air Force security personnel encountered Wu, who claimed he was there to observe the B-2 Spirit aircraft. The patrol informed him that photographing or recording the base was prohibited.
Later, AFOSI was notified that the same vehicle had been spotted again near the base. Upon responding, agents made contact with Wu, who admitted to recording videos of the B-2 Spirit aircraft and taking multiple photos of the base’s fencing, an entry gate, and military equipment. Wu showed agents his phone, which contained 18 photos and videos of Whiteman Air Force Base and its assets. He also admitted to photographing another U.S. Air Force installation and its aircraft.
Court documents reveal that Wu is a Chinese citizen who illegally entered the United States on June 22, 2023, near Nogales, Arizona. He was initially taken into custody for unlawful presence but was released while awaiting removal proceedings scheduled for February 9, 2027. On December 3, 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Wu again.
The complaint notes that the allegations are accusations and not proof of guilt. Wu is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in federal court. If convicted under 18 USC 795, he could face up to one year in federal prison, with the final sentence determined by the court.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson, with support from Trial Attorney Brendan P. Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The investigation involved the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the FBI, US Air Force Security Forces, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. (ANI)
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