The FBI arrested an illegal immigrant with a prior criminal record for flying a drone in restricted airspace near a World Cup festival in Atlanta, according to federal officials.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a June 17 post on X that the suspect was arrested near a World Cup Fan Fest, adding that FBI teams “continue working 24/7 with interagency partners protecting the games [and] this FBI will pursue and bring to justice ANY criminal actor who targets the events.”
In a June 16 statement, the Department of Justice said that Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, a Mexican national living illegally in the United States, faces federal charges for flying a drone near Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.
Rojas-Martinez, who has a prior conviction for the distribution of cocaine, also faces charges of illegally reentering the United States after being deported twice, the DOJ said.
He was allegedly seen flying a drone near the park on June 12 as he stood in a parking area while recording video footage of the event, federal prosecutors said.
Agents then discovered he was allegedly illegally living in the United States and found he had a prior drug conviction, among other charges.
“Unauthorized drone operations in restricted airspace present a serious risk to public safety, particularly during major international events such as the FIFA World Cup,” U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement. “This enforcement action reflects the coordinated efforts of our federal and local partners to detect, disrupt, and deter unlawful activity that could endanger spectators, athletes, and first responders.”
The FBI office in Atlanta has seized 21 drones so far as part of its effort to block unauthorized drones from being flown near World Cup events, Marlo Graham, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said.
“As these operators are putting the community at risk, our Ground Intercept Teams will continue to locate operators, seize drones, and pursue prosecution of those who violate the restricted airspace in place around FIFA World Cup activities,” Graham added.
Federal officials have repeatedly said that drone flights are prohibited in security zones around World Cup venues and related events.
