FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man on Thursday after they said he illegally flew his drone over the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport fence in February, delaying a flight.
Ron Givon, 57, of Dania Beach, is facing a felony and two misdemeanor charges. Federal Aviation Administration records show he’s been a licensed drone pilot since October 2024.
According to a BSO arrest report, Givon was flying his drone from Greenbelt Park, adjacent to the airfield, on Feb. 22, 2025. Deputies said the park has numerous signs posted prohibiting drone use.
Authorities said when Givon was asked if he knew he couldn’t fly over the airport, he said “he knows he isn’t allowed,” but then claimed he had “permission.”
A Spirit Airlines flight was held for takeoff after Givon flew the drone over the airport fence, deputies said. An FAA investigator confirmed with BSO that Givon did not have permission to fly his drone at Greenbelt Park or anywhere near FLL.
Drones are posing an increasing risk to airliners, experts say. An Associated Press analysis found more than 100 near misses over the past decade and found that in 2024, drones accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported near midair collisions involving commercial airliners taking off and landing at the country’s 30 busiest airports.
Givon, facing charges of trespassing on critical infrastructure and two misdemeanors related to the operation of a drone over a critical infrastructure facility, was no longer listed in BSO jail records as of Friday.
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