As with any story, there are two sides, and then the truth. The reality of what happened is something a bit of all three of those things. At the end of the day, this guy is in for a rough year. Ignorance of the law is not going to work as an affirmative defense for him here. The statement he made is also pretty indicative of the fact that he knew there was a different standard for hobby and commercial flight. I don't know that jail time is warranted based on what I've read so far. You new media stories can only give so much info. This isn't some kid who might have done a silly thing. This is a grown man who should have known what he was doing was just breathtakingly stupid. Jail seems harsh, and wouldn't solve anything, and is rarely the first option for punishment. No, hit 'em where it hurts. Huge fines, confiscation of his equipment, and some probation. If his actions had lead to damage or injury, then that's another story.

As for the pilots specific report, eh...I have my doubts, put at the end of the day the particulars don't really matter. They saw a drone, and traced it back to the perp. Busted! Wonder if he had second thoughts and felt it was worth it as he sat handcuffed on the way to be processed.