Photo: WESH
A Florida man faces up to 30 years in federal prison after he allegedly destroyed a law enforcement drone.
Police say 51-year-old Wendell Goney used a .22 caliber rifle to shoot and destroy the drone on July 11, 2021. The drone had been deployed in response to a burglary at a 10-acre business property in Mount Dora, roughly 35 miles northwest of Orlando.
Officials say the drone was destroyed "by gunfire from a neighboring property." Officers who arrived to the area on foot say they confronted Goney who admitted he shot down the drone with a .22 caliber rifle. He claimed that the drones were "harassing" him. He also confessed that he could not lawfully possess a firearm and it turns out Goney has 29 previous felony convictions in the state of Florida.
Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as per federal law.
Goney is being charged with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and destruction of aircraft. The maximum penalty is 30 years in federal prison.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Photo: Lake County Sheriff's Office