A Florida man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and shooting down a sheriff’s drone.
Wendell Doyle Goney, 52, Mount Dora, entered a guilty plea on October 5, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, on July 11, 2021, deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary at a 10-acre business property in Mount Dora.
Read: 20-Year-Old Man Arrested For Murder In Riverview Road-Rage Shooting
The deputies used a law enforcement drone to assist with the outdoor search, only to have the drone destroyed by gunfire from a neighboring property.
When deputies responded to that location, they confronted Goney, who admitted that he had just shot down the drone with a .22 caliber rifle.
Goney claimed the drone had been “harassing” him.
Goney then admitted to the deputies that he could not lawfully possess a firearm because he was a convicted felon.
Read: Florida Man Charged After Decapitating Dog, Then Cutting His Own Throat
A record review revealed that the man had 29 prior felony convictions in Florida, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, violent resistance to arrest, illegal drug possession, burglary, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Federal law prohibits Goney, as a convicted felon, from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.