Florida Man Accused Of Violating Super Bowl No Drone Zone

MIAMI, FL — A Florida man was accused Friday of flying his drone in a restricted area as the FBI announced stepped up enforcement efforts of the so-called no drone zones around Miami ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.

Forty-six-year-old Yorgan Arnaldo Ramos Teran of Weston was charged with violating the temporary flight restrictions set up to protect the public during Super Bowl LIV, according to U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan in Miami and FBI Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI's Miami Field Office.

The FBI reported a total of 77 drone incidents within Super Bowl temporary flight restriction zones as of Friday. Four drones were seized.

“The FBI is enforcing no drone zones around Super Bowl venues in Miami Beach, the city of Miami and Miami Gardens,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tom Jones of the FBI in Miami. “Public safety is our utmost goal this week."

Jones said most drone operators have complied with the no drone zones and even helped spread the word.

Ramos Teran is accused of flying his drone along Miami Beach Wednesday night at 8 Street and Ocean Drive in the heart of South Beach, where a number of Super Bowl activities are taking place.

Officials said Ramos Teran did not have authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate the drone in the restricted air space.

The drone flight restrictions for the Super Bowl LIV run through Sunday.

“Public safety is our utmost goal this week," Jones added. "Our agents have authority from the Department of Justice to seize drones that violate these TFRs. Additionally, the violating operator may face civil penalties or even criminal charges."

If convicted, Ramos Teran faces up to one year in federal prison.

A temporary flight restriction is a regulation that temporarily restricts certain aircraft, including drones from operating within a defined area.

Click here for more information on Super Bowl LIV-related “No Drone Zones” and other temporary flight restrictions.

The investigation for Ramos Teran included the FBI, FAA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Miami Beach police..