A Lake County, Florida, man has to pay $29,000 to the sheriff’s office and faces up to a decade in federal prison because he shot down a sheriff’s drone in 2021.
Wendell D. Goney, 52, pleaded guilty Friday to possessing a firearm as a felon.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Shooting Down Sheriff’s Drone, Faces Up to 10 Years
His plea deal includes a damages payment of $29,034—the value of the drone—to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and a possible 10-year federal prison term.
by Staff
October 10, 2023
Booking photo of Wendell D. Goney taken in 2021 following his arrest over destruction of a Lake County Sheriff's drone.
Credit:
Lake County Sheriff's Office
1 min to read
His plea deal includes a damages payment of $29,034—the value of the drone—to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and a possible 10-year federal prison term.
Deputies responded to a possible burglary at a property in Mount Dora, Florida, next door to Goney’s home, July 11, 2021. To help with the search, they deployed a drone to survey the area.
They then heard gunshots from nearby and saw the drone fall from the sky.
Following the sound of the gunshot, the deputies approached Goney. At first, he denied responsibility.
When deputies told him the drone carried a camera, he remained silent, shaking his head and sighing, according to body camera footage. Goney then admitted to shooting the drone and claimed it was harassing him, court records write.
More Patrol
5.11 Debuts New Load-Bearing Gear at SHOT Show
5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Streamlight Launches the Rechargeable TLR-3X & Other Lights at SHOT Show
Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
EOTech & Fast Metal Introduce the EOTech Halen Ballistic Spectacle System
Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.
Read More →
2 Florida Officers Shot After Shots-Fired Call
Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.
Read More →
Mistaken Identity: Ohio Police Department Harassed After ICE OIS
An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.
Read More →
Top 10 POLICE Videos of 2025
What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.
Read More →
Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement
A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.
Read More →
Ballistic Armor Co. Secures Strategic Investment to Expand U.S. Production Capabilities
Ballistic Armor Co. secured a new commitment that will accelerate its multi-year transition from a third-party tactical equipment retailer to a premium innovator and U.S. manufacturer of advanced protective systems.
Read More →
Police & Fire Championships Expands Athlete Eligibility
The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.
Read More →
Tips for Watching the Hands
How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.
Read More →