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Congressional committee criticizes law enforcement response to Ruskin man's gyrocopter flight

 
Doug Hughes of Ruskin pleaded not guilty to six charges.
Doug Hughes of Ruskin pleaded not guilty to six charges.
Published Aug. 6, 2015

Doug Hughes has moved Congress. But not about campaign finance reform.

A congressional committee released a report Wednesday criticizing the law enforcement response to the Ruskin mailman's gyrocopter flight onto the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

The April 15 stunt, which Hughes made to draw attention to the issue of big money in politics, was the subject of congressional hearings on capital security in the weeks that followed.

The report from the committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs faulted the response of both the U.S. Secret Service and Capitol Police to Hughes' activities. It also made several recommendations aimed at preventing future security breaches.

Chief among the criticisms was the failure of the Secret Service to follow up after first interviewing Hughes in 2013. Hughes misled agents about the ownership of his gyrocopter, according to the report, but no second interview ever took place.

"Despite technological limitations, law enforcement officials had the opportunity to conduct further analysis of Mr. Hughes and his intentions two years before the gyrocopter incident occurred," committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said in a statement.

The report also faulted Capitol Police for not conducting their own investigation into Hughes' activities. The agency instead relied on information from the Secret Service. Capitol Police also responded inadequately to calls from a Tampa Bay Times reporter after Hughes became airborne, the report stated.

Hughes's gyrocopter took off just after noon April 15 from Gettysburg Regional Airport in Pennsylvania. He intended to fly to the U.S. Capitol and deliver letters about campaign finance reform to each member of Congress. He broadcast a live video feed of his flight on his website.

While he was in the air, a Tampa Bay Times reporter phoned the Secret Service to ask if Hughes had permission to violate the restricted airspace. The call was referred to Capitol Police.

The gyrocopter went undetected on radar systems due to its size and speed.

At 1:23 p.m., Hughes landed on the Capitol's West Lawn and was arrested.

"Although Mr. Hughes carried out his flight with a relatively benign goal, he exposed vulnerabilities in airspace security that could be exploited in the future by someone with more dangerous intent," the report stated.

It included several recommendations:

• The agencies involved should consider designating a lead agency in charge of investigating potential breaches of the Capitol's restricted airspace.

• Technological solutions should be sought to address gaps in radar coverage, which hindered detection of Hughes' flight.

• Congress should consider increased criminal and civil penalties for violations of restricted airspace.

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"While a perfect security apparatus is impossible to achieve, law enforcement agencies need to do more to help ensure people such as Mr. Hughes are not able to slip through the cracks and carry out unlawful and unsafe plans, especially within or near our nation's Capital," Johnson said.

Hughes, 61, has pleaded not guilty to six federal charges. Last month, he rejected a plea deal, which would have included prison time. The case is expected to go to trial.

Contact Dan Sullivan at dsullivan@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3386. Follow @TimesDan.