Eustis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Shooting Law Enforcement Drone
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Summary
Justin Tyler Kress received a 15-month prison sentence for damaging a Lake County Sheriff's Office drone during a surveillance operation on his property.
United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Justin Tyler Kress, 34, of Eustis, to 15 months in federal prison on Friday. The sentence follows his guilty plea for the attempted destruction of an aircraft, specifically a law enforcement drone. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida announced the sentencing on September 4, 2026. According to the official press release from the Department of Justice, Kress must also pay $8,200 in restitution. ## The Surveillance Incident
The incident occurred on March 4, 2025. Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office were using a drone to conduct physical surveillance of Kress on his rural property. At the time, law enforcement was attempting to arrest Kress on a warrant for felony criminal mischief. Court documents state Kress had previously told neighbors he would shoot at law enforcement officers if they attempted to arrest him for damaging nearby fences. During the surveillance, Kress shot and damaged the drone. ## Investigation and Search
Following the arrest, deputies obtained a search warrant for the property. They found 20-gauge shotgun shells in the area where the drone was targeted. Inside the residence, investigators located three firearms: a 20-gauge shotgun, a rifle, and a pistol. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos handled the prosecution. ## Federal Oversight of Local Surveillance
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). It's a Department of Justice initiative designed to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts. The program emphasizes a rapid federal response to offenses and seeks accountability through the prosecution of provable crimes. The Department of Justice notes these efforts are intended to strengthen Homeland Security Task Forces through strategic partnerships. Kress had previously pleaded guilty to the charges on May 26, 2026. The 15-month term marks the federal conclusion to the destruction of the surveillance hardware.