Northampton County Man Sentenced to Five Years For Using Drone to Harass Ex-Girlfriend, Illegally Possessing Bombs and Guns

PHILADELPHIA – First Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Jason Muzzicato, 43, of Bangor, PA, was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., for unlawfully possessing firearms and explosives, and using an unregistered drone aircraft to drop explosive devices in order to terrorize his victim, a former girlfriend, in and around Bangor, Northampton County.

In December 2019, the defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a destructive device, possession of firearms by a person subject to a domestic violence protective order, and knowingly operating an unregistered aircraft. The charges stem from Muzzicato’s possession of homemade bombs and firearms while subject to the terms of a Protection from Abuse (“PFA”) order issued by the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Muzzicato’s former girlfriend, and from his unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone). Muzzicato was found to be in possession of a DJI, Model Phantom 3, unmanned aerial vehicle, seven improvised explosive devices and ten firearms, including multiple AR-15 rifles and semi-automatic pistols. Under federal law, an individual who is subject to a PFA order is prohibited from possessing these firearms.  

“With this combination of homemade bombs, guns and a drone, this defendant terrorized an entire community,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Williams. “His blatant disregard for court orders, the law and others’ personal safety made him a true threat, and we are grateful to our law enforcement partners that Muzzicato was identified and arrested before anyone was physically hurt. Our Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure the security of our communities is not threatened by people who hide behind a remote control.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allentown Resident Agency; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Allentown Field Office; the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Fort Washington Field Office; the Washington Township Police Department; the Pennsylvania State Police; and the City of Bethlehem Fire Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kishan Nair.