STURGIS, S.D. – The Meade County Sheriff’s Office says they’ve received reports of drones being flown over or near Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Meade County Chief Deputy James Johns says that is illegal because the airspace around and near a military installation is restricted.

That means drones can be shot down and the drone operator could face federal, as well as local, charges.

In a social media post Wednesday, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office wrote;

“We’ve had multiple reports of drones north of the base. Our friends at Ellsworth are very good at what they do. If they catch your drone where it doesn’t belong, it may very quickly become a very expensive paperweight. And then you get the exciting opportunity to explain why you thought flying in restricted airspace near a military installation was a solid life choice.

Spoiler alert: “I just wanted a cool video” is not a winning defense.

Help us out. Use some common sense. Check your airspace.

Right now, flying a drone around Ellsworth isn’t edgy, clever, or patriotic.”