Authorities arrested a Brentwood, California, man after they said he was flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice said he also took photos of the site.

Vandenberg Space Force Base is a critical facility for U.S. military and space operations, known for satellite launches and missile testing. Its restricted airspace makes unauthorized drone activity a significant security concern.

Police arrested Yinpiao Zhou, 39, at San Francisco International Airport on Tuesday, Dec. 10, as he prepared to board a flight to China. He faces charges of failing to register an aircraft not providing transportation and violating national defense airspace. Zhou is expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in San Francisco federal court.

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According to an affidavit, drone detection systems at Vandenberg identified a drone flying over the base on Nov. 30. The drone reportedly flew for nearly an hour, reached an altitude of almost one mile and originated from Ocean Park, a public area near the base.

Security personnel located Zhou at Ocean Park with another individual and discovered the drone concealed in his jacket.

Federal agents later searched the drone and found aerial photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base. A review of Zhou’s cellphone revealed a prior search for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules” and messages discussing modifications to allow the drone to fly higher than its normal altitude limits.

Zhou, a Chinese citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States, had returned from China in February 2024. Authorities said the person accompanying Zhou at Ocean Park arrived in the U.S. from China on Nov. 26, just days before the incident.

If convicted, Zhou faces a maximum sentence of four years in federal prison. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.