Man Charged With Flying Drone Over Ravens Playoff Game

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore man faces federal charges after authorities said he flew a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during the NFL wild card game Jan. 11 when the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Alexis Perez Suarez, 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, was indicted Friday on federal felony charges related to flying a drone 400 feet over the stadium. The drone flight led officials to temporarily halt the game, which the Ravens won 28-14.

“We are very serious about temporary flight restrictions,” said U.S. Attorney Erek Barron. “You will be charged and held accountable for any incursion into restricted airspace, including around sports and entertainment venues.”

Maryland State Police troopers and FBI special agents tracked the drone's path over the stadium and responded to the area where it landed in Baltimore. While Suarez had already left the scene, officials were able to track his whereabouts.

According to the affidavit filed by prosecutors, the Federal Aviation Administration had put in place a temporary flight restriction for M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore during the game, which prohibited the flight of any drones over the site.

This is a standard practice for stadiums or sporting venues where a regular or postseason game is occurring. The ban goes into effect one hour before the scheduled start time and lasts until one hour after the end of major sporting events.

Suarez said he purchased the drone for recreation and also said he used it for work. The drone was not registered, and a news release said he did not possess a remote pilot certificate to operate it.

According to the affidavit, while in flight, Suarez captured about seven photos of the stadium while the game was going on and thousands of people were below his flight path.

There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding UAS/drone use anywhere within a no drone zone established by the FAA, federal prosecutors said. Anyone who violates the policy faces a risk of arrest, prosecution, fines, and/or imprisonment.

If convicted, Suarez faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for knowingly operating an unregistered UAS and for knowingly serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate. He faces a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating U.S. airspace.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance and arraignment will be scheduled later this month.

"If you are going to fly a drone, you are responsible for learning all the laws and requirements to responsibly operate it. Failing to do so will not excuse you from the consequences of breaking the law," said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office in a news release.