Gerritsen released on bail but remains under house arrest

Reputed Los Angeles-area radio jammer Jack Gerritsen reportedly has satisfied the requirements of a $250,000 cash or property bond and has been released from a federal lockup.

The US Bureau of Prisons indicates that Gerritsen got out of jail May 17, although he reportedly remains under house
arrest at his home in Bell.

Acting on a criminal complaint, FBI special agents, accompanied by personnel from the FCC Los Angeles Field Office, arrested the 69-year-old Gerritsen without incident early May 5 at his home. Federal agents also seized his
radio equipment.

According to terms spelled out by the US Attorney for the
Central District of California after he was taken into custody, Gerritsen will be subject to monitored home detention and barred from possessing or using any radio equipment. Additionally, Gerritsen's residence remains
subject to search. Unconfirmed reports say Gerritsen's passport has been taken as well.

The criminal complaint said an FCC investigation revealed that Gerritsen "often transmits his prerecorded political messages and real-time harassment and profanity for hours at a time, often making it impossible for licensed radio operators to use the public frequencies."

The FCC already has affirmed a $10,000 fine against Gerritsen for operating without a license. It has proposed another $42,000 in forfeitures for alleged interference-related infractions.

Five years ago, Gerritsen was convicted in a California court of interfering with police radio transmissions and sentenced to 38 months in prison. After his release, he applied for a Technician class amateur license and was granted KG6IRO. The FCC promptly rescinded the grant when it learned of his
earlier conviction, however.

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