Could Face Up To 10 Years In Prison

A New Jersey Grand Jury has indicted 33-year-old Russell Percenti on charges of criminal mischief and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose after he blasted a quadcopter out of the sky that was taking photos of a neighbor's house under construction.

According to The Smoking Gun, Percenti was arrested last September after he reported that his quadcopter had been shot down. The UAV operator, Leonard Helbig, had been capturing images of his friends house that is under construction on a lot next door to Percenti's home in Cold Spring, NJ. Images from the aircraft's video posted on The Smoking Gun website show both houses, so the aircraft did capture images Percenti's house.

A police investigation uncovered evidence to suggest Percenti had been the person to shoot at the aircraft and he was arrested. Helbig, who was flying the aircraft as a hobbyist, said at least five shots were fired at the aircraft which was at an altitude of about 100 feet. Helbig said that the aircraft was "destroyed" by the blasts.

Percenti could face up to 10 years in prison on the charge of possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes. The criminal mischief charge, also a felony, carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail.

(File image for illustration purposes. Not incident UAV)

FMI: www.judiciary.state.nj.us/atlantic