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Defendant's Hospitalization Forces Recess in Deliberate Interference Trial
NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 14, 2002--The federal trial of a Florida Citizens Band enthusiast accused of interfering with Amateur Radio operations and transmitting without a license has recessed until June 17. The trial of Willam Flippo of Jupiter began June 10, but it recessed June 13 after the defendant was hospitalized. Flippo, 59, faces four counts of operating without a license and four counts of deliberate and malicious interference.
Federal prosecutor Neil Karabdil has asked Federal District Court Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley to revoke Flippo's bond. The judge is said to be keeping an eye on the situation and has requested a report on Flippo's medical condition. The defendant was released from the hospital after an overnight stay. He remains free on $100,000 bond.
Known in CB circles as "Rabbit Ears," Flippo has been prohibited as a condition of his release from making radio transmissions and from contacting any witnesses in the case. Following his criminal mischief conviction in state court last year, a judge sentenced Flippo to one year's probation and ordered him to dispose of any radio equipment in his possession. The state case stemmed from a charge that Flippo had rammed his vehicle into the car of a local amateur, Ed Petzolt, K1LNC. At the time of the incident nearly three years ago, Petzolt was assisting the FCC in tracking down the malicious interference attributed to Flippo.
The latest development in the case came after testimony from former FCC agent Larry Sowers, who detailed the allegations against Flippo, and from Petzolt, who, among other things, outlined for the jury the differences between Citizens Band and Amateur Radio.
The federal trial, which is taking place in West Palm Beach, was postponed twice last year after Flippo argued successfully that serious health problems would prevent him from participating. He made similar claims earlier this month during another hearing to determine if he was capable of standing trial. A federal magistrate determined, however, that Flippo was competent to stand trial, and the trial date was set.
Federal authorities arrested Flippo in July 2000. The criminal charges now on trial cover violations allegedly committed between June 1999 and April of 2000. Each count carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $10,000 fine. The defendant already faces a $20,000 fine levied in 1999 for unlicensed operation, willful and malicious interference to Amateur Radio communications, and failure to let the FCC inspect his radio equipment.
In January 2000, the FCC gave Flippo 30 days to pay and referred the matter to the US Attorney after he failed to do so and the interference complaints continued.
Personnel from the FCC's Tampa District Office followed up on complaints from amateurs that Flippo had regularly interfered with amateur operations, especially on 10 and 2 meters. FCC personnel visited the Jupiter area at least twice in 1999 and reported tracking the offending signals to Flippo's residence.
Page last modified: 06:36 PM, 14 Jun 2002 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2002, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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