this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2026

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US Air Force Engineer Charged With Sawing Down Flock Surveillance Cameras Receives Thousands of Dollars from Supporters Across the Country (futurism.com)

submitted 4 days ago by FineCoatMummy@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

30 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Link from the local news org

Link says he's charged with petit larceny, which is a misdemeanor in USA. IDK where the destruction of property charges land.

He's receiving donations for his defense from across the country.

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[–] nul9o9@lemmy.dbzer0.com 30 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Wonder how a jury trial would go.

[–] Dultas@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Depending on the jurisdiction and charges it may not qualify for a jury trial. No idea if this case would.

[–] Sprocketfree@sh.itjust.works 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Technically it's your right to demand a jury trial. Even for civil claims.

[–] trackball_fetish@lemmy.wtf 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Yo what really?

I can't wait to waste some debt collectors time in court

[–] Sprocketfree@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Well... You may be on the hook for court fees. Just fyi

[–] trackball_fetish@lemmy.wtf 4 points 4 days ago

I'm going to be real with you, my civil court track record is not good. There's no way I come out not owing something

[–] FineCoatMummy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I read thru some of his updates. Sounded like VA offered a settlement, which was rejected by Jeffrey's legal team. NAL, but sounds like they didn't like the 1st terms offered.

Ofc it is possible it doesn't reach trial. Many cases end in some plea agreement between the parties. I think, but not certain, that he faces felony charges, not just misdemeanors. NAL and totally making shit up, but I wonder if they might try for a plea down to only the misdemeanors.

Juries are a crapshoot. Anything can happen. There's a Voir Dire process where each side gets to strike some # of jurors. Also, sometimes juries will the prosecution if they believe the case is being over-charged. (Edit, not literally punish ofc. I mean, lean more toward the defense).

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 3 days ago

Link says he's charged with petit larceny, which is a misdemeanor in USA

Frenchman spotted! Lol

Free my mans he didn't do nothing, petit or husky it doesn't matter.

[+] tekato@lemmy.world -57 points 4 days ago (5 children)

Now he’s in jail and the cameras will be replaced in a week. Congrats I guess

[–] TwiddleTwaddle@lemmy.blahaj.zone 81 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Everyone pack it up! Tekato has declared direct action useless. We can all stop resisting because this guy is in jail and the cameras will be replaced in a week.

[–] XLE@piefed.social 20 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Is it worth noting here that several local governments want to remove the cameras, but act as if Flock has more control over their own land than they do?

Flock, meanwhile, acts extremely entitled.

https://www.404media.co/flock-objects-to-our-removing-their-equipment-emails-reveal-why-a-town-put-bags-over-its-flock-cameras/

[–] TwiddleTwaddle@lemmy.blahaj.zone 19 points 4 days ago

All the more reason to chop them down

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 12 points 4 days ago

Unfortunately those cameras are now tracking bluetooth signals from cell phones, cars, and headphones, so they can still track people while covered.

Also, those cities should have started fining Flock for littering after they refused to take the cameras down. Making the fine double the subscription rate would have been more than fai

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 18 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Yet even this nearly pointless action is still infinitely more than you will ever accomplish for your civil rights.

[–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 16 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

There are more american citizens than there are prison cells and cameras

[–] FineCoatMummy@sh.itjust.works 10 points 4 days ago

Now he’s in jail

Can you provide a source for this statement please? I do not see that in the futurism link.

In fact, it sounds like he was detained at the time of his arrest, but then released immediately. That would normally be the case for property crimes with no risk to public safety and no flight risk. July 18th, his gofundme page was talking about conversations with his neighbors. July 7th, he was talking about enjoying a camping trip in the woods. That all sounds like he is at home, not in jail.

He will face a grand jury soon. For the non-US readers. Grand Jury is a process that determines whether criminal charges will be brought. It is meant as a check on malicious prosecution by the state. In the US, it is very easy to secure a GJ indictment, b/c no exculpatory evidence is presented. We have a famous saying, the GJ will indict a ham sandwich. Tho, sometimes they do not indict, such as the famous Sandwich Guy. If the charges are too absurd.

Jeffrey's page suggests reaching out to Virginia and request to drop the charges. NAL, so I IDK how much impact that has. I guess it can't hurt? Anyone who does that, I strongly suggest to be polite. Do not rant. Make your argument genuinely and briefly. Whoever reads it is not bringing the charges. Rude does more harm than good.

He has received over $41K donations as of the time of this post.

[–] Trampampoline@sh.itjust.works 9 points 4 days ago

Job creator.