NJ Man, Accomplice Indicted in Drone Dye Scheme

Anthony M. Spina, a 31-year-old resident of Atlantic City, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief and criminal mischief for using drones to drop dye packs into swimming pools across Atlantic County, NJ, during the summer of 2023. The dye packs turned pool water greenish-yellow, causing alarm and incurring remediation costs exceeding $2,000. Spina collaborated with another individual, identified as Patrick Spina IV, the owner of Comfort Solutions Heating and Cooling, to execute these acts, which notably targeted a condominium complex in Atlantic City multiple times. Investigators used tracking software to link Spina to the drone flights, leading to the seizure of at least one drone and several digital devices. The case is part of a broader context of increased drone sightings in New Jersey, prompting federal authorities to deploy additional resources to address the issue.