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No Criminal Charges for Drone Lost on White House Grounds

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced Wednesday there will be no criminal charges against the intelligence agency employee who set off a national security furor after crashing a drone on the grounds of the White House early Jan. 26.  

The incident caused some lawmakers to question the Federal Aviation Administration’s drone policy in the District of Columbia.  

Though there will be no criminal charges, the case is still under FAA review for possible administrative action.  

According to a Justice Department release, investigators determined the man was flying the quadcopter drone outside his apartment window at about 3 a.m. when he lost control of the device as it flew toward the nearby White House.  

According to the report, the man went to sleep not knowing where the drone had gone. After he awoke to news reports of the crash on the White House grounds, he self-reported the incident to the Secret Service.  

A forensic analysis of the drone determined that it was not operating under the direction of its controller when it crashed at the White House.  

Related:

White House Drone Raises Questions About D.C., Capitol Policy


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