FBI Investigations into UAVs/Drones

Michael Morisy filed this request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America.
Tracking #

121694-000 ; AP-2014-02729,DOJ-AP-2017-005159

Est. Completion None
Status
Fix Required

Communications

From: Michael Morisy

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

A copy of the investigative files surrounding the use, report, or sighting of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and/or drones in U.S. airspace. I narrow my request to files generated between Jan 1, 2011 and the date that this request is processed.

An example of one such investigation is here:

http://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2013/fbi-seeks-publics-assistance-in-identifying-locating-unmanned-aircraft-and-operator

If files are not indexed or maintained in a way to make this search reasonable, please provide any indexes of cases performed by the unit investigating the above UAV incident.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

The FBI has received your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOIPA) request and it will be forwarded to Initial Processing for review. Your request will be processed under the provisions of FOIPA and a response will be mailed to you at a later date.

Requests for fee waivers and expedited processing will be addressed once your request has been assigned an FOIPA request number. You will receive written notification of the FBI’s decision.

Information regarding the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy is available at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/. If you require additional assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Your request was received on 3-20-2013 (actual date request was scanned into the FOIPA Document Processing System) and assigned FOIPA Request Number #121-694-000. The request is presently in Initial Processing, where the assigned analyst is searching for, retrieving and reviewing potentially responsive records. If appropriate, correspondence regarding the request will be forthcoming.

Information regarding the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy is available at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/. If you require additional assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

An acknowledgement letter, stating the request is being processed.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Please check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request at: http://www.fbi.gov (Freedom of information Act link), http://www.fbi.gov/foia or http://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps and follow the instructions below.

CHECK STATUS OF YOUR FOI/PA REQUEST

Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on May 15, 2013 7:01 am
Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000

FOIPA: [Enter FOIPA Request Number Here] and click [Submit]

Results will show the Request Number, Case Type and Process Description shown below:

FOIPA - 1234567-000

Case Type - FOIPA

Process Description (will display the current progress of request)

NOTE: Recent requests are entered into FDPS in the order that they are received. Before you can check the status online, you must have received correspondence assigning a FOIPA request number and the information transferred to the online status database. Status information is updated weekly. At this time, closed requests are not available.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Please check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request at: http://www.fbi.gov (Freedom of information Act link), http://www.fbi.gov/foia or http://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps and follow the instructions below.

CHECK STATUS OF YOUR FOI/PA REQUEST

Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on June 13, 2013. Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000

FOIPA: [Enter FOIPA Request Number Here] and click [Submit]

Results will show the Request Number, Case Type and Process Description shown below:

FOIPA - 1234567-000

Case Type - FOIPA

Process Description (will display the current progress of request)

NOTE: Recent requests are entered into FDPS in the order that they are received. Before you can check the status online, you must have received correspondence assigning a FOIPA request number and the information transferred to the online status database. Status information is updated weekly. At this time, closed requests are not available.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Please check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request at: http://www.fbi.gov (Freedom of information Act link), http://www.fbi.gov/foia or http://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps and follow the instructions below.

CHECK STATUS OF YOUR FOI/PA REQUEST

Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on July 17, 2013. Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000

FOIPA: [Enter FOIPA Request Number Here] and click [Submit]

Results will show the Request Number, Case Type and Process Description shown below:

FOIPA - 1210694-000* This is the correct FOIPA Request Number

Case Type - FOIPA

Process Description (will display the current progress of request)

NOTE: Recent requests are entered into FDPS in the order that they are received. Before you can check the status online, you must have received correspondence assigning a FOIPA request number and the information transferred to the online status database. Status information is updated weekly. At this time, closed requests are not available.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the status of your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOIPA) request. A review of your request has determined the following.

The request is presently assigned to a Disclosure analyst who is reviewing the records to determine if any redactions are required pursuant to subsections of Title 5, U. S. Code, Section 552 and 552a. Upon completion, the records are forwarded to a supervisor for review. If approved, a release will be forthcoming. However, the supervisor may send the records back for further review which may delay the release.

You can now check the status of your request online at: http://www.fbi.gov/foia/, and click on the ‘Check Status of Your FOI/PA Request’ link under the Records Available Now section. Online status reports are updated weekly.

If you require further assistance please contact the Public Information Officer.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Here is a screen shot of your online status which is available at http://www.fbi.gov/foia. Status updates are done on a weekly basis.

Check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request
If your FOIPA Number is 11195846-0 please enter 11195846-000 into the system. If your FOIPA number is 11195846-1 please enter 11195846-001 into the system.

Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on Sep. 18, 2013 6:03 am
Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000

FOIPA:
Result
FOIPA
1210694-000
Case Type
FOIPA
Process Description
The FBI's FOIPA Program is processing your request in accordance to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts guidelines.

From: Michael Morisy

In light of the DOJ IG report on the FBI's use of UAVs/drones, I hereby request expedited processing on 1210694-000.

Here is a link to the report: http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/2013/a1337.pdf

Thank you.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

The FBI has received your additional correspondence regarding your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOIPA) request and it has been forwarded to the assigned analyst for review. If appropriate, a response will be forthcoming.

Additional information regarding the FOIPA may be accessed at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/.

If you require additional assistance please contact me.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Here is the online status screen shot of your FOIPA request.

Check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request

If your FOIPA Number is 11195846-0 please enter 11195846-000 into the system. If your FOIPA number is 11195846-1 please enter 11195846-001 into the system.

Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on Oct. 30, 2013 6:00 am
Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000

FOIPA:

Result
FOIPA1210694-000Case TypeFOIPAProcess DescriptionThe FBI's FOIPA Program is processing your request in accordance to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts guidelines.

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

An interim response, stating the request is being processed.

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Sobonya, David P.

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Please check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request at: http://www.fbi.gov (Freedom of information Act link), http://www.fbi.gov/foia or http://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps and follow the instructions below.
Check the Status of Your FOI/PA Request
If your FOIPA Number is 11195846-0 please enter 11195846-000 into the system. If your FOIPA number is 11195846-1 please enter 11195846-001 into the system.
Find status of FOIPA−Last updated on Nov. 26, 2013
Please enter the whole FOI/PA number- Example: 1234567-000
FOIPA:
Results will show the Request Number, Case Type and Process Description shown below:
FOIPA
1234567-000
Case Type
FOIPA
Process Description (will display the current progress of request)
The FBI's FOIPA Program is searching the FBI's indices for potentially responsive documents. You may be contacted via formal letter for all fees and/or negotiation issues that may apply.
NOTE: Recent requests are entered into the FOIPA database in the order that they are received. Before you can check the status online, you must have received correspondence assigning a FOIPA request number and the information transferred to the online status database. Status information is updated weekly. At this time, closed requests are not available.
Thank you,

David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
PIO: (540) 868-4593
Direct: (540) 868-4286
Fax: (540) 868-4391/4997

From: Saunders, Vanessa

Good Morning Mr. Morisy and Mr. Musgave,

We currently received a request from Mr. Musgrave seeking the responsive documents from the CREW request. Mr. Musgrave, we will administratively close FOIA 1196039-1, as all the information will be included in the responsive documents from the CREW request. However, the first release has already been released to the public. Are you also requesting a copy of the first release or releases thereafter? Because the CREW request is currently in litigation, it may or may not be possible to receive the documents concurrent with the CREW releases.

Mr. Morisy, I have also noticed that the information you have requested is also a part of the CREW FOIA request on UAS. Would you like to receive those responsive documents as well? If so, we will administratively close your FOIA request and combine yours with Mr. Musgrave and mail a copy of the release to you as well. If you chose to receive the responsive documents from the CREW request, are you also requesting a copy of the first release or releases thereafter?

We currently have the following opened:

FOIA 1210694-000, Requester: Michael Morisy
Requesting information on (1) Use of UAVs (2) Report or sighting of UAVs

FOA 1196039-1, Requester: Shawn Musgrave
Requesting information on (1) Contracts/Proposals (2) Policies (3) Use of UAVs

New request, Requester: Shawn Musgrave
Requesting information on (1) SOP EC dated 10/28/2010 (2) SOP EC dated 11/10/2010 or 11/10/2011 (3) BAR Manual (2011 and 2013)

New request, Requester: Shawn Musgrave
Requesting to receive responsive documents from the CREW request

Thank you.

Vanessa-FBI HQ RMD
(540) 868-4434

From: Michael Morisy

Thanks. Please do not combine these requests: His is for FBI's use of UAV, while mine is for reports to the FBI regarding UAV, presumably by outside groups, and so the set of responsive documents should be different.

I appreciate your help,

Michael

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121-694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Saunders, Vanessa

Good Morning,

FOIPA Request Number 121694-000 is being processed and needs internal and external review.

Vanessa

From: MuckRock.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #121694-000.

Thank you for your help.

From: Saunders, Vanessa

Good Morning Mr. Morisy,

You should be receiving this request by March 31st.

Vanessa

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI

A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI

A copy of documents responsive to the request.

From: Michael Morisy

Hello,

A copy of the appeal below has been sent to the indicated address.

===============

Director, Office of Information Policy (OIP)
U.S. Department ofJustice
1425 New York Ave., NW, Suite 11050
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

April 24, 2014

To Whom It May Concern:

This is an appeal for partial denial of records for FOIA 121694-000.

Specifically, I appeal the extensive redaction of these documents. Proceedings as far back as February 2011 are heavily redacted save for spare details. Documents regarding events that the FBI has already publicly acknowledged extensively — such as the February 2013 deployment of a UAS in Alabama as part of a hostage investigation — are redacted unnecessarily.

For this and any reasons deemed applicable by the appeals authority, I request that these documents be remanded for further review and disclosure.

Thank you.

From: OIP-NoReply

THIS MESSAGE IS SENT FROM AN UNATTENDED ID. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

From: OIP-NoReply

Please do not reply to this e-mail, as this account is not monitored. To ensure a prompt reply, please direct any inquiries to the contact information listed in the correspondence provided to you. Thank you.

From: OIP-NoReply@usdoj.gov

This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://foiaonline.regulations.gov:443/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d28140e91c)
* Tracking Number: DOJ-2017-005159
* Requester Name: Michael Morisy
* Date Submitted: 07/10/2017
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: DRC Appeal No. AP-2014-02729

From: OIP-NoReply@usdoj.gov

The FOIA request DOJ-2017-005159 has had its Tracking Number changed to DOJ-AP-2017-005159. This is normally due to the request being transferred to another agency (for example, EPA to Dept. of Commerce) or to a sub-agency to process it. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Old Tracking Number: DOJ-2017-005159
* New Tracking Number: DOJ-AP-2017-005159
* Requester Name: Michael Morisy
* Date Submitted: 07/10/2017
* Long Description: DRC Appeal No. AP-2014-02729

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Mr. Morisey,

By letter dated January 14, 2015, you were notified that the Office of Information Policy was referring the above Freedom of Information Privacy Act (FOIPA) request to the Department of Justice's Department Review Committee (DRC) to determine if the appealed information should remain classified under Executive Order 12958 and 5 U.S.C. §552(b)(1).

Due to a substantial backlog of pending appeals and with the passage of time, we would like to know if you are still interested in receiving this information. Please review your records and notify our office within 30 days from the date of this electronic communication. Please feel free to contact me for questions you may have regarding the above appeal. The FOIPA/DRC Appeal numbers listed above have been assigned to the request. Please use these numbers in all correspondence concerning this appeal.

Thanks so much for your time and have a dynamic day.

Kindest regards,
Christine D. Gordon Lawson, J. D.
Appeal Liaison - D.R.C.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
IMD - National Security Unit
Ofc: 540.868.4564
Fax: 540.868.4995

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