HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Four Houston-area residents are accused of violating temporary flight restrictions by flying drones near Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival, Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck said.<\/p>\n
Federal officials said John Alexander Meza, 26, of La Porte, Jordan Lee Zale, 38, of Richmond, Huu An Nguyen Dinh, 30, of Pearland, and Patrick Phillip Heer, 34, of Katy, all have federal criminal complaints against them for flying drones into “sensitive national defense airspace without authorization.”<\/p>\n
The four separate drone incidents that occurred on June 11, 13, and 18 were investigated by federal authorities. Detectives said that each of the four people charged is accused of piloting the drones that entered the temporary flight restriction zones near the festival.<\/p>\n
In a statement, federal officials said that the FAA has designated all FIFA World Cup stadiums and official events as strict “no drone zones” and that any unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited. They added that taking off, flying, or landing a drone could lead to federal and local charges being brought against the pilot.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that the FAA implements temporary flight restrictions to limit air travel and secure the airspace near major sporting events for safety reasons.<\/p>\n
Meza, Zale, and Nguyen are due in court on July 7, and Heer is due on July 8.<\/p>\n
Officials said the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Air Marshal Service, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Department of Public Safety are conducting the joint investigations into the four people accused.
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