ESPIONAGE OR TOURISM? Chinese-Born Man Arrested for Flying Drone Over Brevard County Space and Military Installations
By Space Coast Daily // February 14, 2025
Suspect was born in China in 1953 and immigrated to Canada in 2001
Pan entered the U.S. on a Tourist Visa, Will appear in court next week.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Xiao Guang Pan, 71, of Brampton, Ont. has been charged with three counts of using an unmanned aircraft to photograph vital defense installations and equipment without authorization at Patrick Space Force Base, a submarine base at Port Canaveral, and launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base.
Pan, who is not currently detained, entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and will appear in court early next week, according to court records.
If convicted, Pan faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison per count, totaling up to three years behind bars.
According to a report of Pan’s biography in Global News, Pan was born in China in 1953 and immigrated to Canada in 2001. The biography also states that he worked as a technician for Best Buy Canada for 18 years until his retirement in 2022.
According to the criminal information, Pan piloted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on three separate occasions in January 2025, capturing unauthorized aerial photographs of sensitive military infrastructure, including:■ Space Launch Complexes at Cape Canaveral, which support high-profile launches for NASA, SpaceX, and the U.S. Space Force.
■ A Payload Processing Facility, where classified and high-value payloads are prepared for space missions.
■ A Submarine Wharf at Port Canaveral, a site used for naval operations, including those involving ballistic missile submarines.
■ Munitions Bunkers that store weapons and explosives critical to national security.
Under federal law, unauthorized photography of vital defense installations or equipment is strictly prohibited due to national security risks. Such surveillance raises concerns about espionage, reconnaissance for potential threats, or intelligence gathering by the CCP.
This case comes amid growing concerns over foreign nationals engaging in unauthorized drone activity near U.S. military facilities.
The U.S. government has expressed heightened vigilance over aerial surveillance attempts, especially near sensitive locations. Lawmakers have recently called for stricter regulations and expanded counter-drone measures to prevent potential espionage or security breaches.
The case is being investigated by:
■ Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
■ The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)
■ The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Additionally, multiple federal and local agencies are assisting in the investigation, including:
■ The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which enforces drone flight restrictions.
■ U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), responsible for monitoring foreign threats.
■ The Federal Air Marshals Service supports security efforts against aerial threats.
■ NASA Office of Inspector General, given the close involvement of Cape Canaveral with space programs.
■ The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office enforces local law and security measures.
The incident follows increasing drone-related security threats at military and aerospace facilities. In recent years:
■ Chinese nationals have been arrested for trespassing and illegally photographing U.S. naval bases and military installations.
■ Drone incursions near missile sites, nuclear plants, and classified aerospace research centers have triggered national security investigations.
The U.S. Department of Defense and Congress have pushed for enhanced counter-drone technology, including electronic jamming, geofencing, and physical interception methods to mitigate potential threats.
As this case unfolds, authorities continue to evaluate whether Pan had any ties to foreign governments or organizations and whether the captured images were intended for intelligence purposes.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Xiao Guang Pan, 71, of Brampton, Ont. has been charged with three counts of using an unmanned aircraft to photograph vital defense installations and equipment without authorization at Patrick Space Force Base, a submarine base at Port Canaveral, and launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base.
Pan, who is not currently detained, entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and will appear in court early next week, according to court records.
If convicted, Pan faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison per count, totaling up to three years behind bars.
According to a report of Pan’s biography in Global News, Pan was born in China in 1953 and immigrated to Canada in 2001. The biography also states that he worked as a technician for Best Buy Canada for 18 years until his retirement in 2022.
According to the criminal information, Pan piloted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on three separate occasions in January 2025, capturing unauthorized aerial photographs of sensitive military infrastructure, including:
■ Space Launch Complexes at Cape Canaveral, which support high-profile launches for NASA, SpaceX, and the U.S. Space Force.
■ A Payload Processing Facility, where classified and high-value payloads are prepared for space missions.
■ A Submarine Wharf at Port Canaveral, a site used for naval operations, including those involving ballistic missile submarines.
■ Munitions Bunkers that store weapons and explosives critical to national security.
Under federal law, unauthorized photography of vital defense installations or equipment is strictly prohibited due to national security risks. Such surveillance raises concerns about espionage, reconnaissance for potential threats, or intelligence gathering by the CCP.
This case comes amid growing concerns over foreign nationals engaging in unauthorized drone activity near U.S. military facilities.
The U.S. government has expressed heightened vigilance over aerial surveillance attempts, especially near sensitive locations. Lawmakers have recently called for stricter regulations and expanded counter-drone measures to prevent potential espionage or security breaches.
The case is being investigated by:
■ Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
■ The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)
■ The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Additionally, multiple federal and local agencies are assisting in the investigation, including:
■ The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which enforces drone flight restrictions.
■ U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), responsible for monitoring foreign threats.
■ The Federal Air Marshals Service supports security efforts against aerial threats.
■ NASA Office of Inspector General, given the close involvement of Cape Canaveral with space programs.
■ The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office enforces local law and security measures.
The incident follows increasing drone-related security threats at military and aerospace facilities. In recent years:
■ Chinese nationals have been arrested for trespassing and illegally photographing U.S. naval bases and military installations.
■ Drone incursions near missile sites, nuclear plants, and classified aerospace research centers have triggered national security investigations.
The U.S. Department of Defense and Congress have pushed for enhanced counter-drone technology, including electronic jamming, geofencing, and physical interception methods to mitigate potential threats.
As this case unfolds, authorities continue to evaluate whether Pan had any ties to foreign governments or organizations and whether the captured images were intended for intelligence purposes.
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