Federal prosecutors charged a twice-deported Mexican illegal alien after FBI agents allegedly caught him operating a drone in restricted airspace near a FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta, as federal officials continue warning North Texas drone operators that they will enforce World Cup no-fly zones.
The June 15 federal complaint charges Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, 37, of Mexico, with operating a drone in a temporary flight restricted zone and illegal reentry by a removed alien, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
Homeland Security officials described Rojas-Martinez as a “criminal illegal alien” from Mexico and said he allegedly operated the drone near Centennial Olympic Park on June 12 during the 2026 FIFA Fan Festival.
Agents requested his identification, reviewed his driver’s license, and allegedly confirmed he was unlawfully present in the United States after two prior removals, according to the criminal complaint cited by prosecutors.
Rojas-Martinez has a prior conviction for cocaine distribution among other charges, prosecutors said. The FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are investigating the case.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on illegal immigration, cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime. The Dallas Express previously covered the initiative in connection with South Texas human-smuggling prosecutions.
The complaint contains only charges. Rojas-Martinez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
World Cup Drone Enforcement
“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 S. 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 Atlanta case comes as federal officials in North Texas are warning drone operators not to fly near FIFA World Cup events at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, called Dallas Stadium during the tournament, or the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park.
On each match day, the temporary flight restriction around AT&T Stadium spans a 3-nautical-mile radius and extends up to 3,000 feet. The restriction begins three hours before each match and ends three hours after the match, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Fair Park also has a temporary flight restriction during the FIFA Fan Festival. The zone spans a 1-nautical-mile radius from Dos Equis Pavilion and extends up to 1,000 feet. It is in effect one hour before the festival begins each day and one hour after it ends, federal prosecutors said.
“We want the 2026 FIFA World Cup fans to have a world class time while they are in the DFW metroplex,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said. “When someone makes a decision to fly a drone over restricted airspace, they are wasting valuable law enforcement resources and jeopardizing the safety and overall experience of those who are there to watch the beautiful game. Please remember that you cannot fly a drone at or near the Dallas Stadium and FIFA Fan Festival, as they are no-fly zones.”
Federal Aviation Administration officials said drone operators who enter restricted World Cup airspace without authorization can face fines of up to $100,000, drone confiscation, and federal criminal charges.
Nine FIFA World Cup matches are scheduled at AT&T Stadium from June 14 through July 14, while Fair Park is serving as a major fan festival site.
