Washington, D.C. [US], August 29 (ANI): A Canadian citizen originally from China has been deported from the United States after being placed on probation for unlawfully using a drone to photograph a U.S. defense facility, The Epoch Times reported.
A judge in Florida sentenced Xiao Guang Pan, a resident of Brampton, Ontario, to 12 months of probation and ordered his deportation to Canada. Earlier this year, Pan was charged by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida with three offenses related to using a drone to capture images of defense installations and equipment at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base (CCSFS) in Florida. He later pleaded guilty to all three charges, according to a court document filed on June 18.
Pan, who was born in China, moved to Canada in 2001, according to a biography from the Brampton Arts Organization. Described as an “enthusiastic” drone photographer and videographer, he previously worked at Best Buy for 18 years before retiring in 2022. Between January 5 and 7, he captured nearly 250 drone photos and videos of sensitive military installations at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to the court filing.
The base supports U.S. space launch capabilities and houses space launch complexes as well as U.S. Navy submarine wharves. Under federal law, unauthorized photography of critical defense installations or equipment is strictly prohibited.
On January 7, NASA detected drone activity near the base and alerted local authorities, who found Pan operating a DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone from a nearby parking lot. An investigation of his drone and phone revealed 243 photos and 13 videos of military structures at the facility.
“At no time did Pan seek or obtain permission to capture images or videos of CCSFS,” the court document stated. His recordings included launch complexes, a payload processing facility, mission control and power distribution systems, security checkpoints, and fuel and munitions bunkers.
Pan’s case was investigated by several U.S. security and intelligence agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (ANI)
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