Man Charged With Flying Drone Over National Park

For the second time in two years, a Washington, D.C., man has been cited after police said he was seen flying an unmanned aircraft, or drone, in areas over the District of Columbia, an activity that is prohibited, according to federal authorities.

The U.S. Park Police said that Howard Solomon, 50, was cited about 8:30 p.m. Sunday after he was seen flying a drone over the North Field area of Anacostia Park. It is illegal to fly unmanned aircraft over national parks or anywhere in the District of Columbia. The fine is $85.

Authorities said a Park Police officer in a helicopter spotted the Yuneeq Typhoon Q500+ Quadcopter. Police said the craft and controller were confiscated. The fine is $85.

Sunday’s incident was the second this year in a Washington area national park, and the 29th since 2013. U.S. Park Police Sgt. Anna Rose said Solomon is the only person to be cited twice.

Solomon could not be reached for comment Monday morning.

Solomon was cited in October 2015 after police said he was spotted near the Washington Monument after a F182 6 Axis Quadcopter crash-landed on the Ellipse, near the White House, and was retrieved by Secret Service agents.

The other incident this year occurred June 15 when police said a Virginia man was charged in a citation with flying an aircraft near the Washington Monument. Last October, police cited a drone operator for landing an unmanned aircraft on the White House Ellipse.

In January 2015, a man crashed a small drone on the White House grounds. Four months later, in May, Secret Service officers stopped a man flying a small drone over Lafayette Square in front of the White House.