Chinese student pleads guilty to violating U.S. espionage act

Shi Fengyun is accused of violating rarely used provisions of the Espionage Act

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Chinese 26-year-old Shi Fengyun pled guilty to espionage misdemeanors for flying a drone near a U.S. naval facility. © Reuters

MARRIAN ZHOU, Nikkei staff writer

NORFOLK, Virginia -- A Chinese student pleaded guilty to misdemeanor espionage charges at a federal courthouse here on Monday for taking photographs of U.S. military infrastructure using a drone.

Shi Fengyun, a 26-year-old graduate student from the University of Minnesota, walked into the courtroom in a light green and gray jacket and sports pants. He appeared nervous, taking several deep breaths while shaking his legs before he entered his plea.

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