KEY WEST, FLORIDA - Two Chinese national students studying at the University of Michigan have been arrested after entering a restricted naval base to take photos.
The two students, Yuhao Wang and Jielun Zhang, each 24, appeared in U.S. District Court of Southern Florida Monday, Jan. 6, after they were arrested for entering Sigsbee Annex Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida to photograph defense installations.
Wang and Zhang were together in a blue Hyundai as they drove up to the guard station at the entrance of Sigsbee Annex at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 4, FBI Special Agent J. Chris Klettheime’s affidavit for an arrest warrant said. They spoke with a U.S. Navy Security Forces Master at Arms who requested military identification, which Wang and Zhang could not provide, he said.
The Master at Arms told the two they were not authorized to enter the base, provided instructions for them to make a U-turn and asked for a driver’s license, Klettheime’s affidavit said.
Zhang provided a license to the Master at Arms but continued driving onto Sigsbee Annex, prompting the Master at Arms to radio other Navy security forces to locate the vehicle, the affidavit said.
After approximately 30 minutes on restricted property, U.S. Navy security forces located the vehicle and found Wang and Zhang were in possession of cell phones, while Zhang also had a Nikon camera, according to the affidavit.
U.S. Navy Security Forces obtained consent to look at the devices and observed photographs taken on the Sigsbee Annex property, including U.S. military structures on Fleming Key, the affidavit said.
When questioned, Wang and Zhang told agents they read and understand English, according to the complaint filed against them. Wang agreed to waive his rights and speak with agents, acknowledging they continued to drive onto the base despite not being able to provide military identification, officials said.
According to the complaint, Wang acknowledged he eventually parked the vehicle and took photos with his cell phone, voluntarily showing agents photos he took. Zhang provided the same story, according to the complaint, voluntarily showing agents photographs and videos he took on a camera and cell phone.
During their court appearance Monday, the Miami Herald reported both were 24-year-old students studying at UM. UM Spokesperson Kim Broekhuizen confirmed Zhang is enrolled at UM, but could not confirm the status of Wang.
Wang was appointed a public defender, while a private attorney was granted for Zhang. Because both said they had about $9,000 each in a U.S. bank account, the judge required them to pay $7,500 toward the cost of their defense.
They are being held in temporary pretrial detention based on being a flight risk, court records show. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10 in federal court.