Florida Man Allegedly Tried to Hire Inmate to Kill Neighbor After Drone Dispute

David Butka, 69, has been charged with solicitation to commit murder after authorities say he attempted to hire a fellow inmate to kill a neighbor following a drone-related dispute.

What Authorities Say

According to a probable cause affidavit and statements from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Butka was already in custody after pleading no contest to an aggravated assault charge stemming from an incident on July 22. He was scheduled for release on Sept. 17 when a fellow inmate reported that Butka had solicited him to kill the neighbor involved in the drone dispute.

Timeline and Allegations

During the July incident, a witness told investigators there had been an ongoing civil disagreement about Butka flying a drone over the witness's property. The witness said the neighbor recorded the drone on his phone and watched Butka allegedly “aggressively throw” a rock at the neighbor's vehicle, causing what the affidavit described as "marks and dents all over" the car, which led to Butka's arrest on an aggravated assault charge.

While jailed on or about Sept. 7–8, prosecutors say Butka approached another inmate and offered to pay him to kill the neighbor. The affidavit alleges Butka told the inmate he had "approximately $1.3 million in the bank" and would provide $5,000 up front. Authorities say he supplied the intended victim's first name, physical description, home address, telephone number, a morning routine, and directions for locating the residence.

Investigators further allege Butka gave the inmate his credit card information. The inmate's wife reportedly used those details to add $300 to his commissary account. The inmate is said to have taken detailed notes and on Sept. 16 handed a handwritten note describing the plot to jail officials, who then notified investigators.

Response and Status

Butka has denied the murder-for-hire allegations, telling authorities the money was intended to help the inmate secure legal counsel. Officials said the two men did not know each other before they were housed in the same facility.

"Still not real clear on why he felt the need to have this witness murdered other than, possibly, just anger and revenge," Sergeant James Vachon of the Lake County Sheriff's Office told WESH.

Bond for the solicitation charge was set at $25,000. It was not immediately clear whether Butka had retained an attorney.

Note

This account is based on a law enforcement affidavit and court records reviewed by PEOPLE and reflects allegations that have not been proven in court. The defendant denies the solicitation allegations.