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Martin Sheldon, a man who flew a drone into the path of a police helicopter during a Hollywood manhunt is giving up the device and can’t own another one for three years.
Martin Sheldon, 57, pleaded no contest Wednesday to obstructing a police officer.
In addition to forfeiting his $6,000 drone system, he must perform 30 days of community labor.
Martin Sheldon operated a drone toward an LAPD helicopter Aug. 27 while the crew was assisting in a search for an assault suspect, forcing the pilot to take evasive action and break off the search, according to city prosecutors.
LAPD officers tracked the drone back to Sheldon, who was operating it from a parking lot at a mini-mall at Sunset and Western avenues, and confiscated it.
Video footage from the drone showed the device approaching the helicopter and its spotlight, along with numerous police units on the ground, according to the City Attorney’s Office.
“Interfering with a police investigation through the careless operation of a drone places our officers and the public at serious risk,” City Attorney Mike Feuer said. “This conviction sends a strong message that we will hold those who recklessly operate these devices accountable for their actions.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
