Man Receives Jail Time for Drone Incident

A Seattle man, Paul M. Skinner, 38, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a superb of $500 for reckless endangerment final Friday. Mr. Skinner was flying a drone throughout final yr’s Pride Parade when he misplaced management of the drone and it injured two folks, knocking one girl unconscious.

The sentence and superb had been handed down by Seattle Municipal Court Willie Gregory. It is the primary occasion of somebody in Seattle being charged with a criminal offense associated to drone use. It could also be simply the beginning. The FAA just lately launched a report on drone sightings noting a major improve in drones exhibiting up the place they don’t belong.

The FAA states in its current launch:

The company desires to ship out a transparent message that working drones round airplanes, helicopters and airports is harmful and unlawful. Unauthorized operators could also be topic to stiff fines and prison costs, together with attainable jail time.

Mr. Skinner has realized that. And he’s fortunate to the extent that City Attorney Pete Holmes had sought a 90 day jail time period.

In representing Holmes earlier than Judge Gregory, Assistant City Prosecutor Raymond Lee mentioned Seattle residents “should not fear a drone strike falling from the sky” and famous that the defendant created the state of affairs that induced the hurt. When Skinner misplaced management of the drone, it crashed right into a constructing on four^th Avenue after which struck the 2 folks; one girl suffered a concussion and a person was bruised.

Last month a jury convicted Skinner of reckless endangerment, which is outlined this fashion: “A person is guilty of reckless endangerment when he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person.”

In handing down the sentence, Gregory, who had presided over the four-day jury trial in January, recalled that “the [woman] victim had a hard time talking about what happened to her when you [Skinner] placed that drone in the air.” A listening to is ready for May 25 to resolve the quantity of restitution that Skinner owes the lady for her medical therapy.

Skinner’s legal professional mentioned he’ll enchantment the decision. While it’s pending, Skinner is not going to need to serve the 30 days in jail. However, he should meet the opposite situations imposed by the courtroom.

“With limited legal tools at our disposal,” Holmes mentioned, “I’m extremely proud of the job Raymond Lee and Jeff Wolf [Lee’s co-counsel] did. Operators should know that we will continue to go after them when they disregard public safety.”

All leisure drone customers are obligated to know the foundations and rules for flying. You can discover that info right here.