Honduran National Charged with Illegal Drone Operation in Protected Airspace Before FIFA World Cup Match

A Honduran national was charged on June 15, 2026, by criminal complaint with piloting an unregistered drone in violation of federal law, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Luis Mauricio Flores Ordonez, 33, was charged via criminal complaint with Owning an Unregistered Aircraft that was Operated, Attempted to be Operated, or Allowed to be Operated by Another Person in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 46306(b)(5)(A).

He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton, who ordered that Flores Ordonez be detained pending further proceedings.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you operate a drone over restricted airspace - including over Dallas Stadium or Fan Fest - you can expect a federal indictment to come your way like this defendant," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. "The World Cup has been a blessing for North Texas and it's imperative that we remain vigilant in protecting the fans and our great citizens of North Texas from potentially dangerous drones."

"It is the drone operator's responsibility to understand where Temporary Flight Restrictions exist," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. "Before you fly a drone, I strongly encourage you to check for active flight restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service provider."

According to the complaint, Flores Ordonez allegedly flew his unregistered drone, a DJI Mini 3 PRO, in the flight-restricted airspace around Dallas Stadium (also known as AT&T Stadium) while a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was in effect. To legally operate his drone within the flight-restricted airspace, Flores Ordonez must have had his drone registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and have been a Part 107-licensed pilot with a current certificate or have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, among other requirements. Interception of Flores Ordonez's drone operation was part of the FBI's drone counter-surveillance efforts for the FIFA World Cup match at Dallas Stadium that same afternoon.

So far, during the two FIFA World Cup games held in Arlington, over 20 drones have been seized. The Federal Bureau of Investigation would like to once again state that there is a "no-fly zone" around the Dallas Stadium for three hours prior to each match and three hours after each match. It is a federal crime to fly a drone into a "no-fly zone."

If convicted of this offense, Flores Ordonez faces up to three years in federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation - Dallas Field Division, Federal Air Marshal, Customs and Border Patrol, Arlington Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.