Poinbank Exchange-A Florida man who shot down a law enforcement drone faces 10 years in prison

2025-04-28 20:15:18source:Sterling Prestoncategory:Stocks

OCALA,Poinbank Exchange Fla. (AP) — A man accused of shooting down a law enforcement drone being used at a business near his Florida home could be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

Wendell Doyle Goney, 52, of Mount Dora, pleaded guilty Thursday in Ocala federal court to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to court records. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 18.

Lake County sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary at a 10-acre industrial property in July 2021 in Mount Dora, northwest of Orlando, according to a plea agreement.

As deputies used a $29,000 drone in the outdoor search, gunfire from a neighboring residential property caused it to crash into a metal roof and catch fire, prosecutors said. Deputies went to the property and found Goney, who said he shot down the drone with a .22-caliber rifle because it had been “harassing” him, investigators said.

A record check showed that Goney had 29 Florida felony convictions, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, illegal drug possession, burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Federal law prohibits most convicted felons from possessing firearms and ammunition.

More:Stocks

Recommend

Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Steinon Thursday challenged

Bobi, known as the world's oldest dog ever, dies at age 31

Bobi, the world's oldest (and possibly luckiest) known dog, has died.He was 31.Guinness World Record

Humanitarian aid enters Gaza as Egypt opens border crossing

The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened on Saturday to let a trickle of desperately needed