James Russell Weeks, III, Operating Unregistered Aircraft, Virginia 2019

A Salem, Virginia man admitted to flying a drone near the fire station in the City of Salem on July 25, 2019 and ‘buzzing’ a group of firefighters that stood outside. The drone flew directly at the firefighters who had to dive out of the way, and then flew into the garage of the fire station where it crashed into a pole.

James Russell Weeks, III pleaded guilty to operating an unregistered aircraft, a felony that is punishable up to three years in prison.

Because any drone weighing more than .55 pounds is considered an ‘unmanned aircraft’ by the Federal Aviation Administration, it must be registered before being operated, and Weeks failed to register his drone with the FAA as required.

U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The Salem Police Department and United States Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Bassford is prosecuting the case for the United States.

Weeks’ actions put the safety of the firefighters at risk, and he now faces the consequences of his decision. As the investigation showed, operating an unregistered aircraft is a serious offense that can have severe consequences.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of registering drones with the Federal Aviation Administration before operating them. It is a simple step that can prevent serious incidents like the one that occurred in Salem.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

White Collar Crime

Manuel Marin-Estrada, Money Laundering, Nevada 2004

Jan 15, 2004

White Collar Crime

Samuel Nathaniel Beasley, Wire Fraud, Nevada 2001

Jan 15, 2001

White Collar Crime

Da Conceicao Ferreira Marques, Healthcare Fraud, Florida 2008

Jan 15, 2008

White Collar Crime

Antonio Morales, Tax Evasion, New York 2007

Apr 26, 2013