Guilty Plea from Culver City Man for Reckless Drone Operation
LOS ANGELES – A resident of Culver City has recently agreed to plead guilty for recklessly operating a drone that collided with a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire, as announced by the Justice Department.
Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, is set to plead guilty to a charge of unsafe operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Federal prosecutors have filed a criminal information against him, which is classified as a misdemeanor and can result in up to one year of imprisonment.
Akemann’s plea agreement includes an admission of his reckless actions that endangered the safety of the Super Scooper crew. Following the collision, the firefighting aircraft was temporarily taken out of service, halting its critical fire suppression efforts. He has committed to paying full restitution to the Government of Quebec, the supplier of the aircraft, as well as to the repair company. Additionally, Akemann will perform 150 hours of community service supporting wildfire relief efforts in Southern California in 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally stated, “This defendant recklessly flew an aircraft into airspace where first responders were risking their lives to protect lives and property. This incident serves as a serious reminder that operating drones during emergencies threatens the safety of personnel dedicated to helping others.” He emphasized the commitment to holding accountable those drone operators who disrupt the essential work of first responders.
FBI Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director Akil Davis added, “Ignorance of responsibility as a drone operator will not protect you from prosecution. It is crucial to respect laws and FAA regulations, especially in situations where firefighters and communities are at risk.”
The incident took place on January 9, when Akemann drove to a parking structure in Santa Monica, launched his drone, and flew it over 1.5 miles towards the Pacific Palisades to survey fire damage. Tragically, his drone collided with the Super Scooper aircraft, resulting in significant damage.
The Federal Aviation Administration had issued temporary restrictions against drone operations near the burning areas in Los Angeles County during that time. Consequently, the repair costs for the aircraft exceeded $65,000.
Investigations were conducted by the FBI with considerable assistance from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, the FAA, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and CALFIRE.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kedar S. Bhatia and Ian V. Yanniello from the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are handling the prosecution of this case.
Contact Information
Connor Williams
Public Affairs Officer
conner.williams@usdoj.gov
(213) 894-6965
