Felon with 29 convictions admits shooting down police drone “harassing” him

FLORIDA – A Florida man with a history of 29 felony convictions has admitted guilt for unlawfully possessing a firearm after shooting down a law enforcement drone that he said was “harassing” him.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO), Wendell Doyle Goney, 52, of Mount Dora, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Goney faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg made the announcement.

According to the plea agreement, on July 11, 2021, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a burglary at a 10-acre business property in Mount Dora. As deputies were using a law enforcement drone to assist with the outdoor search, the drone was destroyed by gunfire from a neighboring property.

Deputies responded to the property and spoke with Goney, who admitted that he had just shot down the drone with a .22 caliber rifle. Goney reportedly claimed that the drone had been harassing him.

Goney is said to have admitted to the deputies that he could not lawfully possess a firearm because he was a convicted felon. A record check confirmed his 29 prior Florida felony convictions, which included aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, illegal drug possession, burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As a convicted felon, Goney is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr, is prosecuting it.