Two brothers are facing criminal mischief charges in connection with drone flights in Atlantic County, New Jersey. According to police, the two conspired to fly drones over area swimming pools, then triggered the drones to drop dye packets into the pools. The dye caused the pool water to turn “an alarming shade of green,” and according to police, it caused damages of over $2000.

Criminal mischief is a very common charge in New Jersey. It can be charged based on an allegation that the defendant “purposely or knowingly” damaged someone else's property, with the severity of the charges depending on the amount of damage that was done and whether anyone was injured or killed as a result. If you're facing criminal mischief charges in New Jersey, call the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

The Dye-Dropping Drone Attacks

Police stated that they began investigating the drone attack reports in August of 2023. Homeowners and at least one area motel reported drones hovering over their pools, then dropping a substance into the pools that turned the pool water a bright shade of green. According to one report, police were able to determine that the substance was something called “sea dye, a lifesaving market used during potential water rescues.” One brother was charged in September of 2023; the second brother was indicted in December of 2024.

The Criminal Mischief Charges

Both brothers were charged with violating New Jersey's criminal mischief statute. Because the damages alleged by prosecutors were greater than $2000, the brothers each faced multiple third-degree misdemeanor counts – which could mean a prison term of 3 to 5 years. A news report indicated that one of the two brothers entered a pre-trial intervention program to resolve the charges against him.

The drone attacks, which allegedly occurred in 2023, predate the more recent spate of drone sightings reported across New Jersey and other areas. What made these 2023 drone attacks somewhat unusual is the fact that they appear to have been used to vandalize people's property. The more recent drone sightings have not included reports of the drones causing any damage; only concerns about their origin and purpose. (In response to the high level of concerns, the FAA temporarily banned drone flights in a number of areas in New Jersey and New York).

The Lento Law Firm Can Help if You've Been Accused of Criminal Mischief in New Jersey

While the pool dye drone attacks may have been misguided pranks, they still allegedly caused the pool owners to suffer damages, presumably the costs associated with cleaning unknown dye from their pools. Regardless of the intent behind the drone attacks, any kind of act that purposely damages the property of someone else can result in you facing criminal mischief charges. If you have been charged with criminal mischief or any other crime in New Jersey, the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team is here to help.

Our experienced attorneys know New Jersey's criminal laws and court procedures, and we understand how difficult and stressful it can be to face criminal charges. We will protect your rights from day one, and fight to defend you against the charges you're facing. To learn more about how the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team can help you, call us at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Don't take criminal mischief charges lightly! Let the Lento Law Firm help you.