Real Estate Developer Faces $270,000 FAA Fine for Harassing Unhoused People with Drones

A Pueblo real estate developer is facing substantial fines from the Federal Aviation Administration for repeatedly using drones to harass unhoused individuals. Henry “Hank” Borunda, who owns several downtown Pueblo properties including the La Bella Union Plaza, has been hit with a $270,000 penalty for alleged violations, according to a report from The Pueblo Chieftain.

Extensive FAA Violations

The FAA’s investigation, spanning from August 2022 to December 2023, uncovered 232 alleged violations across 11 different FAA regulations. Borunda operated drones without proper certification, flying them dangerously close to unhoused individuals while recording their reactions for social media entertainment.

“I know to a person — I have over 33,000 drone pilots in my group — I cannot think of a single one that will think this is funny,” said drone expert Vic Moss, the director of legislative affairs for Unmanned Aircraft System Colorado, reportedly.

Dangerous Operations and Safety Concerns

The violations paint a disturbing picture of reckless drone operation. Borunda allegedly conducted 99 flights without a remote pilot certificate or proper supervision. He frequently flew drones at night without required lighting, and in several instances, operated so close to individuals that their hair would blow from the propellers’ downdraft. The situation became so severe that on at least four occasions, people fired guns at the drones in frustration.

Pattern of Harassment

Pastor Paul Montoya of People Helping People in Faith witnessed these incidents firsthand. “They were upset and asked me, ‘Pastor Paul where is that drone coming from?'” he recalled about a 2022 incident near the Pueblo Police Department firing range. The harassment has been systematic, with drones chasing people along sidewalks and hovering over encampments.

Social Media Presence and Continued Violations

Despite receiving the FAA penalty letter in September, Borunda’s drone activities haven’t ceased. His “bumsndrones” social media accounts, though banned on several platforms, continue to resurface under slightly modified names. Recent videos show multiple drones operating simultaneously – an action requiring special FAA waivers that Borunda reportedly doesn’t possess. One account even offered subscription-only content for $5.39 monthly.

Legal Ramifications

The situation could escalate beyond the current $270,000 fine. According to Moss, Borunda’s continued drone activity might lead to Department of Justice involvement or local law enforcement action. While Borunda claimed in a Westword report that he was “trying to shine a light” on homelessness to “inspire change,” critics strongly disagree. Moss stated bluntly, “No, he’s doing it to cause a problem for the homeless, he is not shining a light on the homeless problem. He’s an idiot and he is doing the Drone Industry a disservice.”

DroneXL’s Take

From a drone incident perspective, this case represents one of the most egregious misuses of Drone Technology we’ve seen. While drones have tremendous potential for good – from Search and Rescue to infrastructure inspection – cases like this threaten to undermine public TRUST in drone technology. The FAA’s substantial fine sends a clear message about the seriousness of drone regulations and the consequences of violating them. The drone community must continue to advocate for responsible operation to prevent such incidents from tarnishing the industry’s reputation.

What’s your take on this concerning use of drone technology? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​