The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau has proposed a $48,000 fine against a Florida man who allegedly jammed consumer cell phone service from his car for nearly two years and interfered with first-responder communications. FCC Enforcement Bureau agents identified Jason R. Humphreys of Seffner, Florida as the source of the interference, and then worked closely with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office stopped Mr. Humphreys’ vehicle while he was apparently operating the jammer and seized the device. According to sheriff’s office deputies, communications with police dispatch were interrupted as they approached Mr. Humphreys’ vehicle. Signal jamming devices or “jammers” are radio frequency transmitters that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized communications, such as cellphone calls, GPS systems, Wi-Fi networks, and first-responder communications. It is a violation of federal law to market, sell, import, or use a signal jammer in the United States and its territories, except in very limited circumstances involving federal law enforcement.
