FCC NEWS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500, Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830,
Internet http://www.fcc.gov or ftp.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission Action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 516 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2000
 News Media Contact:
David Fiske at (202) 418-0500.

FCC INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF SUSPECT
INTERFERING WITH POLICE FREQUENCIES
IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission today announced that an investigation by the Commission's Enforcement Bureau concerning interference to police radio communications has led to the arrest of a California man. Jack Gerritsen of Bell, California was apprehended December 28, 1999, after agents from the Commission's Los Angeles Field Office electronically located the suspect's transmissions and observed him as he operated a hand held radio device.

Detectives from the Southern Division, Investigative Services Unit of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), who worked on the investigation in conjunction with Commission agents from the Los Angeles office, made the arrest. Several local Los Angeles area police departments and other licensees had filed complaints with the Commission concerning what was described as intentional interference on their assigned frequencies. The suspect has been charged with allegedly violating sections of the California Penal Code that prohibits intercepting, obstructing and/or interfering with police radio communications. In addition to the California Penal Code violations, the Commission's Enforcement Bureau has determined that the suspect's actions were also in violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §301.

- FCC -

Enforcement Bureau Contact: John Winston at (202) 418-7450.

TTY: 1 (888) 835-5322.