The Department of Justice charged an Orlando man for flying a drone in restricted airspace in downtown Tampa near Super Bowl LV related events. He faces up to a year in federal prison.
Henry Alejandro Jimenez, 33, of Orlando, was charged Wednesday with violating national defense airspace, according to a criminal complaint.
As part of the security plan for Super Bowl LV, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction Wednesday covering an area around Tampa. That’s where the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were scheduled to play in the championship game Sunday night.
FBI agents saw a drone flying near the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, which was within the restricted area, according to DOJ. Agents found Jimenez, the drone operator, nearby in downtown Tampa.
Jimenez told agents that he is an FAA-licensed drone pilot and he was aware of the temporary flight restriction, prosecutors said.
The DOJ said the drone’s flight path showed he traveled right over Julian B. Lane Waterfront Park, which was hosting public Super Bowl events.
Jimenez also appeared to be operating the drone without an uninterrupted visual line of sight for the entire flight, which is required by FAA regulations, the DOJ said. He also flew his drone over people and moving cars.
Online court records didn’t list an attorney for Jimenez.
Sources: AP; NBC2