New to drones, was on VA property/I'm a patient, quick test flight, arrest by VA cops, jailed, 8 fed charges

[VAs Most Wanted]

Yep, it's all in the title, and as ridiculous as it sounds. I'm brand new to this drone thing, took a quick spin after a doctors appointment, cool mountain shots, then cuffed/interrogated for seven hours, thrown in jail for a week, car impounded, they kept my phone too for some reason, 8 federal charges. I'd be shocked if this ever ends up in front of judge because I'm pretty sure people at the VA know someone way overstepped their authority… Anyone here a lawyer? Maybe also a disgruntled vet? Anyways, I just bought more drones…

 

[PINEBARON]

Were you in restrictred air space? Is your drone registered with the FAA? Do you have TRUST certification?

 

[Cafguy]

There are several V.A. facilities in Vegas..One happens to be in a Sensitive National Security Area!
Was it that one? If that's the case you need to seek good legal Advice SOON, It will see a judge!
Did those people at the V.A. give you permission to fly there, as is needed according to Federal Law? (You cannot takeoff or land from Federal property without permission)
What 8 Charges are you talking about? There are some pretty hefty fines attached if you were in that area and flying without permission, They can apply a fine as much as $250,000 and that does not include the lifetime Drone ownership ban and the $100,000 fine for the TFR violation. If you do not posses a trust card that last one can go up considerably! Those two fines are just the starter fines and they will for sure pile on more.
You need to hire a Lawyer! As soon as possible if I were you.
The First thing every Drone owner should do especially the new owners is check the legalities of flying in the area you intend to fly! You may have learned this lesson the hard way...
The good news for you is I have never heard of the FAA issuing a fine for a first time unintended mistake BUT your probably gonna have to explain yourself to someone. If you were in the S.N.S. area.
Oh and sorry for the info BUT Welcome to the forum!

 

[MA2 317]

I'm brand new to this drone thing,

Hello from the Crossroads of America VAs Most Wanted.

Start here.

FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute


Then here.

FAADroneZone

faadronezone-access.faa.gov

Looking at the area, Las Vegas is controlled / restricted air space and needs permission to fly with the airports and Nellis Air Force Base nearby.

I'd be shocked if this ever ends up in front of judge because I'm pretty sure people at the VA know someone way overstepped their authority…

You flew a drone in NAS which is governed by the FAA, not people working at the VA.

Anyways, I just bought more drones…

Good Luck and welcome to the Forum.

 

[Jim Martin]

Yep, it's all in the title, and as ridiculous as it sounds. I'm brand new to this drone thing, took a quick spin after a doctors appointment, cool mountain shots, then cuffed/interrogated for seven hours, thrown in jail for a week, car impounded, they kept my phone too for some reason, 8 federal charges. I'd be shocked if this ever ends up in front of judge because I'm pretty sure people at the VA know someone way overstepped their authority… Anyone here a lawyer? Maybe also a disgruntled vet? Anyways, I just bought more drones…

As ridiculous as it seems, I would take it seriously. You probably should have asserted your right to remain silent and to demand an attorney rather than allow them to interrogate you. Even what you are posting here could be used by the Feds if they thought it would help their case.

I sincerely hope it ends well for you. Best of luck!

 

[jaja6009]

OP, why are you on a forum when you should be seeking legal counsel.
Stop posting your open case in a public forum and find a competent lawyer, and hopefully one with aviation experience.

 

[PINEBARON]

The OP has disappeared. Are we sure this was not just a story? Clickbait? I could not locate a report of a recent drone incident or drone pilot arrest in Las Vegas; perhaps someone else can confirm.

 

[MA2 317]

The OP has disappeared.

They got 'em.
FAFO with the government.

Are we sure this was not just a story? Clickbait? I could not locate a report of a recent drone incident or drone pilot pilot arrest in Las Vegas;

My thoughts as well.

Thanks for searching for reports and sharing.

.

 

[JeffreyS]

Sounded too sensationalistic to be true. Troll.....

 

[dmiles119]

Yes unfortunately it looks like a crackpot with too much spare time on his hands.

I am struck by the amount of excellent advise and accurate information that was supplied by knowledgeable members just in the event that this was true. That's what this is all about. Well done gang.

 

[PINEBARON]

Yes unfortunately it looks like a crackpot with too much spare time on his hands.

I am struck by the amount of excellent advise and accurate information that was supplied by knowledgeable members just in the event that this was true. That's what this is all about. Well done gang.

Basically don't f about with drone laws; work within rules and regulations, 'drones' is a very touchy subject worldwide. Even our RC planes laws have tightened up; I need RFID module in my RC plane when not flying in my FRIA registered club. Back in the day, I'd fly my planes from absolutely anywhere, now we have rules; we just follow them.

 

[anotherlab]

The OP has disappeared. Are we sure this was not just a story? Clickbait? I could not locate a report of a recent drone incident or drone pilot arrest in Las Vegas; perhaps someone else can confirm.

People did tell him to stop posting and lawyer up...

Having the car impounded and jail time sounds extreme. You would think it would have made the news somewhere.

 

[dmiles119]

People did tell him to stop posting and lawyer up...

Having the car impounded and jail time sounds extreme. You would think it would have made the news somewhere.

Or at minimum a YouTuber like 51 drones would have covered it. Maybe too soon, maybe they will if it actually happened. But you're right, he may have actually took the advise given. Always a bit of a shock when someone actually does that. He may not be a crackpot after all. If that's the case, I hope they just try to get his attention without anything too severe.

 

[dmiles119]

Basically don't f about with drone laws; work within rules and regulations, 'drones' is a very touchy subject worldwide. Even our RC planes laws have tightened up; I need RFID module in my RC plane when not flying in my FRIA registered club. Back in the day, I'd fly my planes from absolutely anywhere, now we have rules; we just follow them.

Yes some would say that the small percentage of pilots who are idiots flaunting the rules and posting it online when they hit 4000 feet or whatever are the reason we have all these rules and all this unwanted attention in the first place. I'm sure it's not the only reason, but it has been a major factor IMO.

 

[AnzacJack]

They jailed a patient? Sounds like crap to me