Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 19
Twice-Deported Man Charged Over June 12 Drone Flight at Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 19

Twice-Deported Man Charged Over June 12 Drone Flight at Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 19

Summary

  • Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, 37, was charged after prosecutors said he flew a drone on June 12 in restricted airspace near Centennial Olympic Park during Atlanta's 2026 FIFA Fan Festival.
  • FBI agents approached him in a nearby parking area where he was allegedly recording video of the event, then determined he was in the U.S. illegally; ICE took custody the next day.
  • Federal authorities charged the Mexican citizen with operating a drone in a temporary flight restriction zone and illegal reentry, saying he had already been deported in 2013 and 2019.
  • FAA rules bar drones and other aircraft within 3 nautical miles and up to 3,000 feet above World Cup stadiums and related fan events on match days, with violations carrying fines up to $100,000 and possible criminal charges.

Insights

With advanced detection, why are drones still breaching security at major events like the World Cup?
How do authorities distinguish a clueless hobbyist from a genuine threat when a drone enters a no-fly zone?