Miami Radio: FCC Cracking Down On Pirates

The FCC has launched a significant crackdown on unauthorized radio broadcasters in the Miami area, proposing fines totaling nearly $400,000 under the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act (PIRATE Act). This enforcement initiative targets so-called "pirate radio" operators whose illegal transmissions pose a threat to the integrity of licensed stations, potentially disrupting commercial broadcasts and critical public safety communications, such as emergency alerts.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr underscored the agency’s firm stance against these illicit operations. "The FCC will not tolerate unlicensed radio broadcasting. It’s that simple," Carr declared in a statement.

 "Licensed radio stations have invested significant time, resources, and effort into building their operations. They serve as vital lifelines for the public, delivering news, entertainment, and, in some cases, life-saving warnings during emergencies. Pirate radio operators flout the law, undermine these essential services, and create unnecessary risks for communities." Carr’s comments reflect the FCC’s broader mission to protect the airwaves and ensure that legal broadcasters can operate without interference.

The most substantial penalty in this enforcement sweep is a proposed fine of $325,322 levied against Abdias Datis, a repeat offender accused of running an unauthorized station on 91.7 MHz, branded as Unique FM, in Miami, Florida. FCC agents conducted extensive investigations, tracing the rogue signal on multiple occasions—first in March and November 2024, and again in January 2025—to a single-family home on NW 147th Street in Miami. During their monitoring, agents confirmed the station’s identity as Unique FM, noting that the operator used the on-air moniker "DJ AJ," an alias the FCC has linked to Datis. The size of the fine reflects Datis’s history of violations and the persistent nature of his illegal broadcasts, which have continued despite prior warnings.

In a separate but equally troubling case, the FCC has proposed a $60,000 fine against Aaron Streeter for operating an unauthorized station on 89.1 MHz, known as Da Pound FM, in Miami Gardens, Florida. The investigation began in March 2024, when agents pinpointed the illegal signal to a residence featuring a conspicuous FM antenna in the backyard. Initially, Streeter cooperated with authorities, agreeing to shut down the operation. However, on January 8, 2025, FCC agents detected Da Pound FM back on the air, broadcasting once again from the same location. This resumption of illegal activity prompted the agency to escalate its response with the proposed penalty.

These fines, issued as Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NALs), represent formal allegations rather than final judgments. Under FCC procedures, both Datis and Streeter now have the opportunity to respond, presenting evidence or legal arguments to contest the charges. The agency will carefully review all submissions before determining whether to uphold, adjust, or dismiss the penalties. This process underscores the FCC’s commitment to balancing enforcement with due process, ensuring that accused parties can address the allegations leveled against them.