Paula Ann Mitchell is reporting in the Daily Freeman the man facing a felony charge for operating an aerial drone equipped with a video camera in close proximity to a medical facility rejected an offer Tues., Nov. 18, to plead guilty to the misdemeanor attempted surveillance. David P. Beesmer, of Lake Katrine, Ulster Co., was arrested by state police in July and charged with felony unlawful surveillance. At the time of his arrest, police said Beesmer positioned the drone to within 10 to 15 feet of the windows of examining rooms at the new Mid-Hudson Medical Group building on U.S. Route 9W. The incident captured national headlines amid the debate about how to regulate similar unmanned aircraft. In Ulster Town Court on Tuesday, Beesmer’s attorney declined the plea deal offered by the Ulster County District Attorney's office. Schneider said, “I’m convinced my client’s actions were not criminal. I sincerely believe he is innocent." Following his arrest, Beemser posted on Facebook that he made a “huge error in judgment” and that he merely intended to capture footage of the new building. The town justice adjourned the case until Dec. 9. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.