United States Lawyer for the Japanese District of Pennsylvania, Jacqueline C. Romero, introduced immediately that america District Courtroom for the Japanese District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment in opposition to Michael DiCiurcio of Philadelphia, PA. In its grievance in opposition to DiCiurcio, america alleges that DiCiurcio operated small unmanned plane techniques (“sUAS”) – generally referred to as drones – unlawfully and unsafely within the Philadelphia space between no less than December 2019 to the current, in violation of Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) necessities.
The US alleges that DiCiurcio operated flights at night time, in shut proximity to the William Penn Statue, PSFS Constructing, and Liberty One Constructing, ensuing within the sUAS virtually putting 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 automobiles, and, in no less than one occasion, misplaced management of the sUAS, inflicting it to fly uncontrolled over Philadelphia.
The FAA warned DiCiurcio in writing and offered him with counseling and schooling relating to necessities for protected operations of a sUAS below 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 Choose Jose Arteaga, DiCiurcio agreed to the phrases of the consent judgment, together with that: DiCiurcio (1) admits that each one allegations of his conduct set forth within the Verified Grievance are true and correct; (2) admits that the conduct as alleged within the Verified Grievance violated FAA rules and security steerage as alleged; and (3) accepts the administrative findings of violations and additional acknowledges that the FAA will deem these issues as findings of violations which may be thought of aggravating elements in any future enforcement proceedings in opposition to him.
As well as, DiCiurcio agrees that he’ll: (1) by no means function in any method any sUAS of any kind, measurement, mannequin, of any type 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 referred to as “Philly Drone Life” and 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 Could 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 Choose Mitchell S. Goldberg signed the consent judgment.
“We work exhausting to coach individuals about safely flying their drones, and we don’t hesitate to take sturdy enforcement motion when pilots intentionally flout the foundations,” mentioned Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson.
“Failing to stick to the security necessities for flying small unmanned plane techniques endangers individuals and property,” mentioned U.S. Lawyer Romero. “All drone flyers have a duty to make sure that they observe all relevant rules and steerage. Our Workplace is dedicated to making sure whole compliance with the FAA rules and we’ll vigorously implement violations wherever we discover them.”
The allegations relating to unsafe sUAS flights in violation of FAA rules are described intimately within the grievance. 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 Basic. The case is being dealt with by Assistant U.S. Lawyer Viveca D. Parker.
All civil claims are allegations solely. There was no willpower of civil legal responsibility.
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