[LeArc] ARLX003 Florida Man convicted of deliberate interference, unlicensed operation

[Tony Coniglio]

> SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX003
> ARLX003 Florida Man convicted of deliberate interference, unlicensed
> operation
> 
> ZCZC AX03
> QST de W1AW  
> Special Bulletin 3  ARLX003
> >From ARRL Headquarters  
> Newington CT  June 20, 2002
> To all radio amateurs 
> 
> SB SPCL ARL ARLX003
> ARLX003 Florida Man convicted of deliberate interference, unlicensed
> operation
> 
> A Florida Citizens Band enthusiast accused of jamming Amateur Radio
> operations and transmitting without a license was convicted in
> federal court June 19 on eight misdemeanor counts. Willam Flippo of
> Jupiter was found guilty of four counts of operating without a
> license and four counts of deliberate and malicious interference.
> Federal District Court Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley noted that, while
> the charges were misdemeanors, it was important that the amateur
> airwaves be free of interference in the event of an emergency. He
> ordered that Flippo remain in custody and undergo a psychiatric
> evaluation prior to sentencing.
> 
> The prosecutor in the case, Neil Karabdil, credited members of the
> Amateur Radio community with bringing Flippo to justice. The list
> included ARRL 1999 ARRL International Humanitarian Award winner Ed
> Petzolt, K1LNC, who helped the FCC gather evidence in the case; Bert
> Morschi, AG4BV; Palm Beach County Emergency Coordinator Dave
> Messinger, N4QPM; and Chuck Mulligan, N4SDW.
> 
> ''This is a very good day for Amateur Radio, and a very good day for
> justice,'' Petzolt said following the trial. ''Let the word go out
> that we will not tolerate this sort of thing on our frequencies, and
> you will be caught.'' Petzolt cited local amateurs and the efforts of
> the FCC, including Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley
> Hollingsworth ''and everyone else who kept the faith,'' for helping to
> bring the case to a successful conclusion.
> 
> ''Never give up and never surrender,'' Petzolt advised those facing
> similar malicious interference situations. ''If you do, they win.''
> 
> According to Petzolt, who testified in the trial, Flippo primarily
> had targeted the Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group for jamming and
> regularly interfered with amateur operations, especially on 10 and 2
> meters, over an approximately three-year period. Following up on the
> amateurs' complaints, personnel from the FCC's Tampa District Office
> visited the Jupiter area at least twice in 1999 and reported
> tracking the offending signals to Flippo's residence.
> 
> Federal authorities arrested Flippo in July 2000. The criminal
> charges of which he now stands convicted covered violations
> allegedly committed between June 1999 and April of 2000. The
> defendant already faces a $20,000 fine levied in 1999 for
> unlicensed operation, willful and malicious interference to Amateur
> Radio communications, and failure to let the FCC inspect his radio
> equipment.
> 
> Hurley said he was worried that Flippo might not return to court for
> his sentencing hearing and ordered him returned to jail. Flippo
> reportedly hung his head after the jury returned a guilty verdict on
> the second count. He had no comment for a reporter as he was led
> back to jail.
> 
> Sentencing could take place in about a month. According to the FCC,
> Flippo faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison--one year on
> each count. He also faces up to $80,000 in fines.
> NNNN
> /EX
>