U.S. govt charged four with criminal offences for flying drones over World Cup venues
The United States Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against four individuals for allegedly flying drones over the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival event without authorisation.
The suspects are identified as John Alexander Meza, 26; Jordan Lee Zale, 38; and Huu An Nguyen Dinh, 30, who are all expected to make their first appearances in front of Magistrate Judge Richard Bennett on July 7.
Meanwhile, the fourth suspect, Patrick Phillip Heer, 34 will appear before the same judge on July 8, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas announced in a statement on Friday.
Authorities alleged that law enforcement officers caught Mr Heer operating a drone within the boundaries of the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone established near the FIFA Fan Zone in Houston, Texas on June 13.
In the case of Mr Meza, law enforcement officials alleged that he piloted a small drone within TFR zone at 612 Live Oak Street in Houston on June 11, while Mr Zale was also arrested on the same day for similar offence.
Additionally, Mr Dinh was apprehended on June 18 for flying a drone inside a TFR zone near 3305 Jefferson Street in Houston and was subsequently charged with violating national defense airspace.
The United States government has designated every World Cup stadium in the United States a no flying zone on matchdays while it is in place over FIFA Fan Festival venues throughout the 39 days of the tournament.
“To ensure a safe environment for all players, attendees and staff, Federal Aviation Administration and law enforcement have officially designated all FIFA World Cup stadiums and surrounding event spaces, to include Houston’s Fan Zone, as strict “No Drone Zones.
“This means that unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited in the designated airspace and surrounding grounds,” the attorney’s office said.
It added, “During such major sporting events the FAA implements temporary flight restrictions to limit air travel and secure the airspace. Taking off, landing or flying a drone within these restricted areas is a serious violation of federal and local regulations.”
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