While executing a search, officers from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office came across a sophisticated signal jammers, marking the first discovery of this type of device by the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Robinson indicated that this device can effectively disable Wi-Fi cameras, doorbells, and security systems that operate on radio sensors. It has the ability to shut down all related technologies. The singular purpose for which one would acquire a device of this kind is to engage in wrongful conduct for malicious ends.
Authorities have clarified that there is no legal restriction on owning a signal gps jammer, but its usage is regarded as a federal crime.
Sheriff Robinson conveyed that the next step is to engage in dialogue with lawmakers. He stated, "It is indeed strange that Indiana lacks a specific statute regarding communication jamming. I believe this issue should be addressed, and I will work with state legislators to remedy this loophole."
The sheriff's office has communicated that the events are tied to a suspected daytime burglary occurring in the area surrounding the village of Cambridge.
Investigators are of the opinion that two individuals attacked a home employing high-tech devices.
On Sunday, it was reported by the police that a couple returned to their home and encountered two men they did not recognize inside.
Authorities indicated that the individuals involved fled the scene driving a gray Jeep.
The Village of Cambridge's acquisition of a FLOCK camera through the Sheriff's Office allowed deputies to be strategically positioned, leading to the successful arrests.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted a stop of Jaime Riveras, a citizen of Chile, on Highway 41 after being alerted to a potential crime.
Sheriff Robinson remarked that Riveras alleged he was making his way from St. Louis to Florida and did not stop in Evansville.
Sheriff Noah Robinson indicated that, in addition to the statements from witnesses, a search warrant was issued for all items found in the vehicle. This led to the discovery of two cell phones within the vehicle, which contained GPS data that confirmed the suspect vehicle's location at Riveras' residence, situated within the burglarized area.
Riveras is under investigation for several charges, including the alleged employment of a signal jammer to interfere with the reporting of crimes.
The VCSO continues to classify this as an active investigation and is focused on identifying Rivera's associates.
This is an official announcement from Attorney General Chris Carr’s office.
Attorney General Chris Carr is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take immediate action to allow the use of cell phone jammers in state prisons and local jails. The FCC currently prohibits the use of cell phone “jammers,” a prohibition that extends to state and local governments. Yet, in prisons and jails across the country, contraband cell phones are being used to plan and organize violent attacks and other criminal activity, posing a real and significant safety risk to correctional officers, visitors, inmates, and the public at large.
“The simplest way to protect the public from the dangers of contraband cell phones is to allow the use of cell phone jamming technology in prisons and jails, but the FCC continues to thwart our efforts,” Carr said. "This outdated guidance limits legitimate law enforcement tools, creates dangerous conditions for correctional officers, and allows for the expansion of criminal networks inside and outside of prisons. We are committed to fighting violent crime wherever it occurs, which is why we continue to call on the federal government to remove this huge barrier to public safety."
In Georgia alone, 8,074 contraband cell phones were confiscated in 2023, and 5,482 have been confiscated so far in 2024. Recently, an incarcerated leader of the notorious street gang "Yves Saint Laurent Squad" used a contraband cell phone to order the stabbing of an 88-year-old Georgia veteran. A North Carolina gang leader was able to order the kidnapping of a prosecutor's father from his cell phone while in prison. In California, prison gangs use contraband cell phones to order murders and drug trafficking within the prison system.
“There are hundreds of examples across the country of how contraband cell phones in the hands of inmates have been used as lethal weapons and enabled them to continue their criminal activities. We are outraged that these individuals are continuing these activities and endangering the public,” said Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “As attempts to infiltrate our prisons with contraband cell phones continue to evolve, access to jamming technology is critical to our ability to combat these attempts. We thank Attorney General Carr for his support of our ongoing commitment to public safety and safe prison operations.”
In his correspondence, Carr indicated that the policy of the FCC is rooted in a statute that was established in the early 1990s, a time before prison inmates began to use contraband cell phones to strategize and participate in illegal and hazardous endeavors.
Carr also remarked that 47 USC § 333 does not restrict the FCC from changing its position to permit state agencies to use cell phone jammers in prisons. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has acknowledged the potential utility of these signal jammers and has been authorized to implement them in several federal prisons, with at least one located in Georgia.
Is there a device or method to call 911 even if cell phone jammers are being used in the area?
In the past, my abuser would use a cell phone jammer when he broke into my house, preventing me from calling the police right away. I tried to call 911, but the call never went through.
I eventually reported him to the police. I'm worried he'll show up again. How do I make sure I can call 911 no matter what? Will a wearable panic button still work with a cell phone jammer? What about a satellite communicator for hiking/backpacking?
Realistically, the FCC will only start investigating once the problem is frequently reported because they don't have staff around the country to do this kind of signals intelligence. If the OP lived in or near a major city, they would have more success because the FCC offices in major cities do have equipment to locate pirate signals and jammers, but again, I don't think they would respond to any single incident because they would never be able to get there in time to get the information.
There's a guy in my area who puts a jammer in his car every day when he drives on a busy interstate during rush hour because he thinks it will stop people from using their phones and make his driving safer. All the cell phone carriers reported it, but it took the FCC 3 years to actually investigate and catch him.
In areas with cell phone signal jammers, it can be very difficult to call 911 because the main function of a signal jammer is to block the network signal of the mobile phone.
However, there are several strategies and techniques that may help when calling 911 in an emergency:
A drone jammer (also known as a drone jammer gun) is a device used to bring drones to the ground.
It works by interfering with the radio signals that control drones, grounding drones by blocking their communication systems.
But with the increase in the number of drones in the air, there is now a big challenge - how to keep drones away from no-fly zones?
The FAA has been working hard to ensure that drone pilots and the general public adapt to the evolutionary stage we are currently experiencing.
However, despite the best efforts, the process of drones entering commercial airspace has not been smooth sailing, and drone incidents seem to be happening more and more frequently at sporting events, airports and other places.
Drone jammers work by sending electromagnetic noise at radio frequencies, with the goal of covering the same radio and GPS signals that drones use when operating.
The frequencies of drone wifi jammers are usually specified as 2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz, which are public frequencies not allocated to manned aircraft, public broadcasts or mobile phone signals.
When a drone is jammed with a jammer signal, the most common reaction is for the drone to return to its point of origin (unless the GPS is also jammed), which gives the jammer operator the option to track the drone and find the pilot. In some cases, a drone jammer may cause the drone to land on the scene so that an investigation can be conducted.
Types of Drone JammersDrone jammers come in many forms, each designed to meet specific needs and environments. Understanding the different types of drone jammers is essential to choosing the right jammer for your security needs.
Portable JammersFeatures. Portable drone jammers are compact and easy to carry, making them ideal for personal use or rapid deployment in the field. They typically have limited range, but are sufficient to jam a drone's communications at close range.
Availability. These jammers are easy to use and usually operate with the push of a button. They are favored by security personnel and individuals who need a quick solution to prevent drone intrusion during events or in sensitive areas.
Fixed JammersFeatures. Fixed jammers are more rugged, have higher output power, and can cover larger areas. They are permanently installed in key locations such as government buildings, airports, and prisons.
Effectiveness. Fixed jammers provide a persistent and reliable barrier against drone intrusions due to their fixed location and enhanced capabilities. They can jam multiple frequencies simultaneously, ensuring broader protection.
Tactical JammersFeatures. Designed for military and law enforcement use, tactical jammers are rugged and built to withstand a variety of environments. They often have advanced targeting capabilities to selectively jam specific drones without affecting other communications.
Used in Military and Law Enforcement. Tactical jammers play a vital role in national defense strategy, protecting troops from drone surveillance or attack. They are also used in critical operations to ensure drones do not compromise mission security.
This might be perceived as a highly valuable question; however, the answer is rather straightforward and differs from country to country.
In essence, the short response is that the use of cell phone jammers is illegal in the majority of countries, while in a select few, there are no particular regulations or official government statements addressing their legality.
Let us investigate several leading nations that impose restrictions on the use of cell phone signal jammers by consumers, allowing their deployment solely within military contexts.
The act of jamming cell phone signals is illegal in the United States and is treated as property theft under the Communications Act of 1934. For additional information, please click on the following link: Communications Act.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) firmly prohibits the use of any jamming devices that interfere with authorized radio services, including cellular frequencies, PCS, GPS, and police radar systems.
The FCC has asserted that the use of cell phone signal jammers can prevent individuals from dialing emergency numbers such as 911, thereby endangering public safety. Federal law prohibits the operation of these jammers without any exceptions. This restriction applies to all organizations, including businesses and educational institutions.
Consumers are not permitted to use cell phone jammers in their homes. Local law enforcement agencies can apply for exceptions, but this must be done under strict authorization from federal law enforcement agencies. In the United States, the use of cell phone jammers is subject to significant fines, potentially reaching thousands of dollars.
An infamous incident involves a man in Florida who was penalized with a large fine for deploying a cell phone jammer on public transport, prompted by his frustration and his intention to interfere with the communication of other passengers.
Possessing and using a cell phone jammer can result in legal penalties, including imprisonment. While this is a notable issue, using the device solely in the privacy of your home or car should provide a level of protection from such consequences.
Most countries follow the same rule: fines and criminal sanctions for those who break the law on using cell phone jammers.
AustraliaThe ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) has made it clear that it is illegal to use, supply or possess a mobile phone or GPS jammer or booster in Australia.
The use, supply or possession of mobile phone jammers is prohibited because it "facilitates criminal and terrorist activity". This is the best they have come up with.
IndiaUnlike other major countries, India has specific regulations that private sector organizations or individuals cannot procure or use such devices in India.
The Cabinet Secretariat published a "jammer policy" on its website stating that norms have been framed for the procurement and use of jammers by states/union territories, defense forces and police.
Under the Telecommunication and Data Protection Act, 1992, mobile signal jammers are controlled items and can only be imported into India with a license issued by the DGFT.
The policy says the move is to "prevent the indiscriminate proliferation of jammers and ensure that mobile jammers installed do not cause excessive or unintentional interference to the existing mobile phone network."
UKUnder the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, anyone who intentionally interferes with wireless telegraphy (e.g. radio communications) commits an offence.
If convicted, you could be sentenced to up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both.
OfCom warns that consumers are strongly advised not to operate devices that interfere with radio communications as they could "cause you to miss calls and, in the worst case, they could pave the way for criminal conduct or even endanger someone's life".
CanadaUnder the Radio Communications Act, it is illegal to import, manufacture, sell, possess and use jamming devices that interfere with cellular frequencies in Canada.
You could face up to a year in prison or a fine of up to $5,000. According to a statement on ic.gc.ca, only law enforcement agencies are allowed to import radio equipment that interferes with radio communications.