The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Wednesday that it is imposing a fine of $404,166 against a man who illegally interfered with the New York Police Department’s radio system.
Then-20-year-old Jay Peralta was arrested towards the end of September with two other suspects for hacking into the radio frequencies of the NYPD and subsequently threatening to kill the police officers. Along with a string of robberies, Peralta and the fellow suspects are also accused of making false bomb threats and generally wreaking havoc on the NYPD’s main source of communication. Peralta, who’s acts of thievery allegedly included spraying victims in the face with unknown substances, is currently awaiting trial.
“The Commission expects prompt payment of a fine,” reads an FCC press release obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation. “If such a payment is not received within 30 days, the matter is referred to the Justice Department for collection.”
The fine is formally referred to as a Forfeiture Order. The FCC originally proposed it in April and provided Peralta time to appeal the decision. (RELATED: FCC Tries To Slap Robocaller With $82 Million Fine)
“Mr. Peralta’s nine unauthorized and interfering transmissions involved false bomb threats, false claims of criminal activities involving firearms, false distress calls from purported NYPD officers, and threats against NYPD officers. These transmissions were malicious and egregious actions that could have caused substantial and widespread harm,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai stated around the time of the original punishment proposal. “For as long as the FCC has existed, the agency has had the important mission of preventing radio interference. And within the realm of public safety, the FCC has no higher purpose than promoting secure and reliable public safety and emergency response communications.”
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