United States Legal professional for the Japanese District of Pennsylvania, Jacqueline C. Romero, introduced at the moment that america District Courtroom for the Japanese District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment towards Michael DiCiurcio of Philadelphia, PA. In its criticism towards DiCiurcio, america alleges that DiCiurcio operated small unmanned plane programs (“sUAS”) – generally often known as drones – unlawfully and unsafely within the Philadelphia space between at the very least December 2019 to the current, in violation of Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) necessities.
The US alleges that DiCiurcio operated flights at evening, in shut proximity to the William Penn Statue, PSFS Constructing, and Liberty One Constructing, ensuing within the sUAS virtually hanging a church steeple throughout one flight. The US alleges that in sure flights DiCiurcio improperly operated the sUAS inside managed airspace close to the Philadelphia airport, over individuals and vehicles, and, in at the very least one occasion, misplaced management of the sUAS, inflicting it to fly uncontrolled over Philadelphia.
The FAA warned DiCiurcio in writing and supplied him with counseling and schooling concerning necessities for protected operations of a sUAS underneath the Federal Aviation Rules. The US alleges that DiCiurcio nonetheless has continued to function sUASs illegally and in a careless or reckless method that endangers others.
Phrases of the Consent Judgment
On January 23, 2025, earlier than Justice of the Peace Decide Jose Arteaga, DiCiurcio agreed to the phrases of the consent judgment, together with that: DiCiurcio (1) admits that every one allegations of his conduct set forth within the Verified Criticism are true and correct; (2) admits that the conduct as alleged within the Verified Criticism violated FAA laws and security steering as alleged; and (3) accepts the administrative findings of violations and additional acknowledges that the FAA will deem these issues as findings of violations that could be thought-about aggravating components in any future enforcement proceedings towards him.
As well as, DiCiurcio agrees that he’ll: (1) by no means function in any method any sUAS of any kind, dimension, mannequin, of any variety inside america, nor will he ever search any kind of certification or license to function any kind or type of sUAS; (2) take down the YouTube channel often known as “Philly Drone Life” and now not function or resurrect its content material or any half in any kind; (3) abandon these sUAS and different gadgets he surrendered to the FAA on Might 23, 2024, pursuant to the Courtroom’s Order sanctioning DiCiurcio for contempt of the preliminary injunction entered by the Courtroom on February 29, 2024.
On January 29, 2025, Chief Decide Mitchell S. Goldberg signed the consent judgment.
“We work onerous to coach individuals about safely flying their drones, and we don’t hesitate to take sturdy enforcement motion when pilots intentionally flout the foundations,” stated Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson.
“Failing to stick to the protection necessities for flying small unmanned plane programs endangers individuals and property,” stated U.S. Legal professional Romero. “All drone flyers have a accountability to make sure that they observe all relevant laws and steering. Our Workplace is dedicated to making sure complete compliance with the FAA laws and we’ll vigorously implement violations wherever we discover them.”
The allegations concerning unsafe sUAS flights in violation of FAA laws are described intimately within the criticism. The case is captioned United States of America v. Michael DiCiurcio, Case No. 24-0612 (E.D. Pa.).
The case has been investigated by the FAA’s Flight Requirements Division, and the U.S. Division of Transportation Workplace of the Inspector Common. The case is being dealt with by Assistant U.S. Legal professional Viveca D. Parker.
All civil claims are allegations solely. There was no dedication of civil legal responsibility.
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