Resident Recently Charged Despite No Law On The Books

A private investigator in Paradise Valley, AZ faces charges after flying his quadcopter over private property in the town, but he wasn't snooping for information for a client, he was reliving a moment in his own past.

The PI is Paul Huebl, according to a report from television station KSAZ. In the 80s, Huebl was forced to defend himself while confronting a man who lived in the home at the time, and shot and injured him. He was acquitted of any crime in connection with the incident.

Last summer, he went back with his UAV to take video of the property where the incident occurred ... and was confronted by the current owner. According to Huebl's attorney David Appleton, he landed the aircraft, gave the woman his card, explained what he was doing, and left.

She called 911, but was told that there were no laws preventing Huebl from capturing the images.

Now the city council has drafted an ordinance that would allow UAVs only to be used with a permit from the police department that would be issued on a one-time case-by-case basis. The operator would have to pay processing fees and notify a property owner that he or she was going to fly the aircraft over the property. It carries a maximum penalty of $2,500 or six months in jail for each offence. It does make an exception for recreational use of a UAV on the owner's private property as long as the aircraft stays below 100 feet.

Huebl, meanwhile, has been charged with careless or reckless aircraft operation. Appleton says the charge is "trumped up," and says that the ordinance under consideration is "unenforceable," adding that the city council is likely "inviting litigation to challenge the ordinance." Appleton said that pending federal regulations for UAV use will supersede any law that the town might pass.

The ordinance was on the agenda for discussion Thursday. A vote could come at the next meeting in two weeks.

(Image from file)

FMI: Proposed Ordinance