WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (AFP) - A Pakistani man arrested after taking videotapes of downtown skyscrapers in North Carolina was charged Monday with making false statements and intention to defraud the United States.
Kamran Akhtar, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury, charging him on four counts with making false statements and one count each with refusing to leave the country within a stipulated period and possessing documents with intention to defraud the United States, a Justice Department statement said.
Police in Charlotte, North Carolina arrested Akhtar -- who was living in Elmhurst, New York -- last month after being spotted taking videotapes of downtown skyscrapers, including Charlotte's 60-storey Bank of America tower and former Wachovia bank center -- two of the largest financial institutions in the country.
But Akhtar, also known as Kamran Shaikh, was not linked to any terrorist plot.
No date has been set for his court appearance in relation to the charges, for which he faces a total of 55 years in jail if convicted.
Under US sentencing guidelines, actual sentences are based upon a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense, and a defendant's criminal history, if any.
Akhtar's brother, Irfan Akhtar, said he enjoyed taking pictures of tourist spots and buildings and had been traveling the country after he lost his job at a photo store in New York that closed, according to news reports.
"The United States Attorney's Office withholds further comment at this time," the statement said.
Investigations are being carried out by police, immigration and customs enforcement as well as FBI, it added.