Six World Cup fans convicted in U.S. for flying drones, others warned
Six individuals pleaded guilty, while three others face charges for allegedly violating U.S. airspace by operating unauthorised drones as the United States government vowed strict enforcement during 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the country, Canada and Mexico.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas explained details of the cases in a statement on Friday, warning World Cup attendees to register and label their drones as well as obtain a Part 107 pilot’s licence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before operating them.
The nine defendants, who pleaded guilty or still facing criminal charges, were either indicted on one count of either operating as an Airman without an airman’s certificate or felony operation of an unregistered drone.
David Flores, David Fowler, Ernesto Villanueva Gonzalez, Jason Carvell Banner, Scott Lorenzen and Shawn Yang, all of whom pleaded guilty, were sentenced to penalties ranging from fines and probation to prison terms.
Meanwhile, cases involving Vincent Paolella, Jasson Longoria and Melvin Mitchell III are still pending.
“As part of ongoing drone enforcement, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has prosecuted numerous individuals for illegally flying unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in restricted areas, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould,” the attorney’s office stated.
The office noted that the FAA imposed a Temporary Flight Restriction across several locations in Texas during the World Cup, including over the Dallas Stadium on matchdays and daily over Fair Park in Dallas, where the FIFA Fan Festival will take place from June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026.
Subsequently, drone operators were advised to register, label and obtain Part 107 pilot’s license before flying their drones over flight-restricted airspace and for other purposes. They are also required to obtain a TRUST certificate from the FAA and carry it with them at all times while operating a drone.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Three-month-old, eight other family members killed in fresh Plateau attack
He said the attack began at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and lasted for more than an hour into the early hours of Sunday.
States
Rescue of Oyo abduction victims validates Tinubu’s security strategy: TMSG
According to the group, rescuing the victims after nearly two months in captivity affirms improved inter-agency synergy.
States
APC wins 18 chairmanship, 192 councillorship seats in Edo LG poll
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the seats across the state’s 18 local government areas and 192 wards.
Lagos
Lagos residents blame urbanisation, poor drainage infrastructure for worsening floods
Residents said the flooding challenge reflected years of urban growth that had outpaced drainage infrastructure.
States
Scores killed in early morning terrorist attack on Benue communities
The terrorists invaded the two villages between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. while residents were asleep.
Opinion
Is Bola Tinubu among those afraid of Femi Gbajabiamila?
The larger question is what it says about our democracy when so many people feel unable to discuss openly those who wield enormous influence behind the scenes.
