Florida Man Arrested for Flying Drone While Intoxicated

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Richard Carpenter, aged 34, was taken into custody for piloting a drone while under the influence of alcohol. This event transpired shortly after midnight on May 4, close to 8100 Martin Luther King Jr. Street North. Authorities reported that Carpenter maneuvered his drone at low heights, repeatedly passing by an open driver-side window at potentially dangerous speeds. Officers observed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, glassy eyes, and the odor of alcohol. Carpenter confessed to consuming alcohol prior to flying and believed the victim was pursuing him. He faces charges for operating an aircraft recklessly while intoxicated and was released on a $150,500 bond. Drones are categorized as aircraft under FAA regulations, making such operation illegal when impaired. Florida law also forbids flying drones while intoxicated. New Jersey was the first state to impose a 0.08% BAC limit on drone operation. Additionally, the FAA has declared all FIFA World Cup stadiums as No Drone Zones for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, with penalties reaching $100,000.