South Florida Pirate Radio Operator Arrested on Felony Charge

Abdias Datis, an alleged longtime illegal broadcaster in the Miami area who is also known as “DJ AJ” and “DJ 305,” was arrested while on the air Tuesday by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies.

He was charged with a third-degree felony for “unauthorized transmissions to, or interference with, a public or commercial radio station.” WPLG(TV) in Miami first reported the arrest.

Since at least 2018, according to the FCC, Datis has operated “Unique FM” on 91.7 FM without a license from Miami-Dade county. The commission proposed a $325,000 for Datis’ operation of the station in February, which apparently did not deter his broadcasts.

Datis, 50, no stranger to enforcement action, was charged with similar offenses in North Miami Beach in 2006 and 2007, according to Radio World’s review of his arrest affidavit.

Arrest details

According to the affidavit, detectives with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security Bureau were contacted by the FCC regarding unlicensed broadcasts — that exceeded Part 15 limits — traced to Datis’ NW 147th St. residence in the Biscayne Gardens section. Enforcement Bureau agents documented the signal on five separate dates in 2025, including 12 August 2025.

On 12th August 2025, a search warrant was executed at Datis’ home. FCC agents identified transmission equipment actively in use by Datis, who was broadcasting live, and noted it could be “safely” disconnected. WPLG reported that the equipment was seized.

The affidavit states that when given a copy of the search warrant, Datis — unprompted — told officers the equipment inside belonged to him. He was then taken into custody.

Jail records show he posted a $2,500 bond and was released.

Long FCC history

Miami FCC field office agents found the station operating eight times from five different locations between 2018–2023. On five of those dates from 2022 onward, agents traced the source of the station to Datis’ home.

Then, in March and November 2024 and again this past January, the commission’s agents observed the 91.7 FM signal broadcasting from Datis’ residence. They verified that the station positioned itself as “Unique FM” and the on-air operator identified themselves as “DJ AJ.”

In February, the FCC increased a proposed fine against Datis from $120,000 to about $325,000, citing his prior history.

The increased fines come under the commission’s PIRATE Act enforcement, and South Florida is no stranger to pirate radio activity. We reported on the saga of another longtime alleged illegal radio operator “DJ Paz,” who is challenging the commission’s $2.4 million forfeiture against him, arguing that the penalty violates his right to a jury trial.

Datis’ arraignment, meanwhile, is scheduled for 11 September 2025