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Ohio Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure (2026)
Restricted: Ohio (ORC 4561.51(C)) criminalizes flying a drone to photograph/record/loiter over or near a critical facility with intent to further a violent offense or to destroy or tamper with it.
Official source: codes.ohio.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Drones Near Prisons & Critical Infrastructure in states bordering Ohio
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- IndianaRestricted
Indiana criminalizes operating a drone to obstruct or interfere with police, correctional officers, firefighters or EMS (IC 35-44.1-4-10).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: iga.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
- KentuckyRestricted
Kentucky makes it a misdemeanor to fly a drone above key infrastructure assets (power, water, refineries) with intent to harm or surveil, without consent (KRS 511.100).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
- MichiganRestricted
MCL 750.45a makes it a felony to use a drone to interfere with a key facility, correctional, or law-enforcement facility; Michigan also preempts local drone ordinances (MCL 259.305).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legislature.mi.gov · Full Michigan rule →
- PennsylvaniaRestricted
Pennsylvania (18 Pa.C.S. 3505(a)(3)) makes it a second-degree felony to use a drone to deliver contraband to a prison/correctional facility.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.state.pa.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
- West VirginiaRestricted
West Virginia (61-16-2(b)): a misdemeanor to fly a drone over a 'targeted facility' (critical infrastructure) to deploy an object or to surveil/gather info with intent to do harm.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →
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