A 21-year-old Chinese citizen is back in federal custody this week following a multi-state pursuit that ended just before he could board a flight out of the country.
Tianrui Liang faces federal charges for allegedly documenting restricted military aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, a critical hub for the U.S. Strategic Command.
The legal saga began shortly after Liang entered the United States from Vancouver, Canada, on March 28, 2026, using a standard B1/B2 visa. According to court documents, Liang visited Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota before heading to the Nebraska installation.
After being confronted by FBI agents regarding his activities at the base, Liang reportedly drove across the country to New York.
Federal authorities moved quickly to secure an arrest warrant, intercepting Liang at John F. Kennedy International Airport on April 7. While a magistrate judge in New York initially ordered his release, federal prosecutors in Nebraska launched a swift appeal. Chief District Court Judge for the District of Nebraska overturned the release, and U.S. Marshals took Liang back into custody on April 10.
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“Any individuals who unlawfully attempt to acquire sensitive information about military aircraft located in the District of Nebraska will be held maximally accountable under federal law,” stated U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods.
The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI with support from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, remains active. While Liang currently faces up to one year in prison if convicted of the initial charges, prosecutors noted that they are still investigating whether the facts of the case warrant more serious national security charges.
Liang is currently being transported back to Nebraska for further court proceedings. Under U.S. law, he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donald Kleine and Matt Lierman are handling the prosecution.
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