Montgomery County Police drone video leads to program's first conviction

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County’s drone program got its first win after a jury convicted a man of second-degree assault using footage from the Drone as a First Responder Program.

Jovan Ali, 45, faces 10 years in prison after being convicted Wednesday, Oct. 25. Ali was caught on police drone footage pulling a knife from his pocket and stabbing a man in the shoulder on April 17 at the intersection of Georgia and Sligo avenues in Silver Spring.

The incident was witnessed by a police officer, but the drone video, which can be seen here, helped with Ali’s conviction, State’s Attorney John McCarthy said. 

“The drone video evidence in this case was critical for the State. We would not have been able to prove the defendant’s guilt without it,” McCarthy said in a press release. “The value of this technology is immeasurable when it comes to public safety. It is a game-changer within the criminal justice system. We are grateful to Montgomery County Police for their advocacy and implementation of the Drone as a First Responder program.”

The Drone as a First Responder Program (DFR) uses a drone called Raven 1 to remotely monitor active scenes and respond more quickly than officers can. It first responded to a call on Oct. 4, 2023, according to the DFR dashboard. Police Captain Nicholas Picerno said that the drone program has been transformative and enhances officers’ situational awareness and safety.

Since it launched in October 2023, Raven 1 has responded to 1,578 calls, the dashboard says.

This case was the first time in Montgomery County that drone footage helped bring a conviction in a jury trial. 

“In this case, the drone footage was invaluable in securing the conviction. This technology is a major asset to our operations, providing capabilities that were previously unimaginable,” Picerno said in a press release. “This is another example of how officers, supplied with real-time intelligence, make better informed decisions.”