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Before the

Federal Communications Commission

Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of

Damian Anthony Ojouku Allen

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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File No.: EB-FIELDSCR-13-00010442

NAL/Acct. No.: 201432600003

FRN: 0021896410

* NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE

Adopted: March 26, 2014 Released: March 26, 2014

By the Resident Agent, Miami Office, South Central Region, Enforcement Bureau:

INTRODUCTION

* We propose a penalty of $25,000 against Damian Anthony Ojouku Allen for apparently operating a pirate radio station in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Commission warned Mr. Allen several times that pirate operations are illegal and previously imposed a penalty on him for operating a pirate radio station in Pompano Beach, Florida on the same unauthorized frequency. The fact the Mr. Allen would commit the same violation on the same frequency demonstrates a deliberate disregard for the Commission's authority and its rules, warranting a significant $25,000 penalty.

* In this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL), we find that Mr. Allen apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter on the frequency 101.1 MHz in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

BACKGROUND

* On August 7, September 6, and September 11, 2013, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Miami Office (Miami Office) used direction-finding techniques to locate the source of radio frequency transmissions on the frequency 101.1 MHz to an FM transmitting antenna located on the rooftop of a commercial property in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On August 7 and September 6, 2013, the agents took field strength measurements of the station's signal and determined that the transmissions on 101.1 MHz exceeded the limits for operation under Part 15 of the Commission's rules (Rules), and therefore required a license. According to the Commission's records, no authorization has been issued to Mr. Allen, or to anyone else, for the operation of an FM broadcast station at or near the Fort Lauderdale commercial property.

* On September 6, 2013, while monitoring the unlicensed station, agents from the Miami Office heard the station identify itself on the air as "NRG Online Radio" and reference the website "nrgonlineradio.com." Evidence obtained from the Internet identifies Mr. Allen as "DJ Undisputed" for 101.1 FM. On September 11, 2013, the agents traced a coaxial cable from the transmitting antenna mounted on the FM antenna structure on the roof of the commercial property in Fort Lauderdale into a suite leased by Mr. Allen. The agents also consulted the Commission's records and determined that the Miami Office previously assessed a $20,000 forfeiture against Mr. Allen for operating an unlicensed radio station on the frequency 101.1 MHz in Pompano Beach, Florida after being warned several times in writing that such action violated the Act.

* Detectives with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, working with FCC agents from the Miami Office, arrested Mr. Allen for operating an unlicensed FM radio station and seized his transmitting equipment. Mr. Allen pleaded guilty to a third degree felony under Florida state law.

DISCUSSION

* Section 503(b) of the Act provides that any person who willfully or repeatedly fails to comply substantially with the terms and conditions of any license, or willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any of the provisions of the Act or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commission thereunder, shall be liable for a forfeiture penalty. Section 312(f)(1) of the Act defines "willful" as the "conscious and deliberate commission or omission of [any] act, irrespective of any intent to violate" the law. The legislative history to Section 312(f)(1) of the Act clarifies that this definition of willful applies to both Sections 312 and 503(b) of the Act, and the Commission has so interpreted the term in the Section 503(b) context. The Commission may also assess a forfeiture for violations that are merely repeated, and not willful. The term "repeated" means the commission or omission of such act more than once or for more than one day.

A. Unlicensed Broadcast Operations

* We find that the record evidence in this case is sufficient to establish that Mr. Allen violated Section 301 of the Act. Section 301 of the Act states that no person shall use or operate any apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by radio within the United States, except under and in accordance with the Act and with a license granted under the provisions of the Act. On August 7, September 6, and September 11, 2013, agents from the Miami Office determined that an unlicensed radio station on the frequency 101.1 MHz operated from a suite in a commercial property in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, leased by Mr. Allen. Internet evidence identifies Mr. Allen as a DJ for an unlicensed station operating on 101.1 MHz (FM), and he has a history of operating an unlicensed radio station on 101.1 MHz in the Broward County area. A review of the Commission's records revealed that no license or authorization was issued to Mr. Allen, or to anyone else, to operate a radio station on 101.1 MHz at this location. Based on the totality of the evidence before us, we find that Mr. Allen apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Act by operating radio transmission equipment without the required Commission authorization.

* Proposed Forfeiture

* Pursuant to the Commission's Forfeiture Policy Statement and Section 1.80 of the Rules, the base forfeiture amount for operation without an instrument of authorization is $10,000. In assessing the monetary forfeiture amount, we must also take into account the statutory factors set forth in Section 503(b)(2)(E) of the Act, which include the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violations, and with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require. In doing so, we find that the violation in this case justifies a $15,000 upward adjustment from the base forfeiture amount. As the record reflects, the Miami Office previously assessed a forfeiture against Mr. Allen for operating an unlicensed radio station on the frequency 101.1 MHz in Pompano Beach, Florida after being warned several times in writing that such action violated the Act. The fact that Mr. Allen would again commit the same violation, multiple times, on the same frequency, after being warned repeatedly that such actions violates the Act, demonstrates not only the egregiousness of the violations here, but also his deliberate disregard for the Act and the Rules. Accordingly, applying the Forfeiture Policy Statement, Section 1.80 of the Rules, and the statutory factors to the instant case, we conclude that Mr. Allen is apparently liable for a forfeiture in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

ORDERING CLAUSES

* Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Act, and Sections 0.111, 0.204, 0.311, 0.314, and 1.80 of the Rules, Damian Anthony Ojouku Allen is hereby NOTIFIED of this APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for violations of Section 301 of the Act.

* IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 1.80 of the Rules, within thirty (30) calendar days of the release date of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, Damian Anthony Ojouku Allen SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture.

* Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, wire transfer, or credit card, and must include the NAL/Account Number and FRN referenced above. Mr. Allen shall also send electronic notification on the date said payment is made to SCR-Response@fcc.gov [HYPERLINK: mailto:SCR-Response@fcc.gov]. Regardless of the form of payment, a completed FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the Account Number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID) and enter the letters "FORF" in block number 24A (payment type code). Below are additional instructions you should follow based on the form of payment you select:

* Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission. Such payments (along with the completed Form 159) must be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.

* Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001. To complete the wire transfer and ensure appropriate crediting of the wired funds, a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank at (314) 418-4232 on the same business day the wire transfer is initiated.

* Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit card information on FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159 to authorize the credit card payment. The completed Form 159 must then be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.

* Any request for making full payment over time under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief Financial Officer -- Financial Operations, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 1-A625, Washington, D.C. 20554. If you have questions regarding payment procedures, please contact the Financial Operations Group Help Desk by phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.

* The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture, if any, must include a detailed factual statement supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits pursuant to Sections 1.16 and 1.80(f)(3) of the Rules. Mail the written statement to Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, South Central Region, Miami Office, P.O. Box 520617, Miami, FL 33152-0617, and include the NAL/Acct. No. referenced in the caption. Damian Allen also shall e-mail the written response to SCR-Response@fcc.gov [HYPERLINK: mailto:SCR-Response@fcc.gov].

* The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits: (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP); or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner's current financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial documentation submitted.

* IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture shall be sent by both Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and First Class Mail to Damian Anthony Ojouku Allen at his address of record.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Stephanie Dabkowski

Resident Agent

Miami Office

South Central Region

Enforcement Bureau