A Honduran national has been charged with illegally operating an unregistered drone in restricted airspace near Dallas Stadium during a FIFA World Cup match. Luis Mauricio Flores Ordonez, 33, was charged on June 15, 2026, with owning an unregistered aircraft that was operated in violation of federal law.
Flores Ordonez allegedly flew his DJI Mini 3 PRO drone within a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone around Dallas Stadium, also known as AT&T Stadium. To legally operate a drone in such airspace, he would have needed to register the drone with the Federal Aviation Administration and possess a Part 107 license or a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould warned, "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." FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock emphasized the operator's responsibility to check for Temporary Flight Restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service.
This incident was part of the FBI’s drone counter-surveillance efforts for the FIFA World Cup. Authorities have seized over 20 drones during the two FIFA World Cup games held in Arlington so far. Flying a drone into the designated "no-fly zone" around Dallas Stadium, which is active three hours before and after each match, is a federal crime. If convicted, Flores Ordonez faces up to three years in federal prison.