U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Ga.: Illegal alien felon arrested for flying drone in World Cup restricted airspace
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
3:44 PM – Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Federal authorities have arrested a Mexican national with a history of felony convictions after he was accused of illegally operating a drone over massive crowds at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in downtown Atlanta.
Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, 37, was taken into custody by federal agents on Friday, June 12, 2026, and faces multiple federal charges following a coordinated law enforcement interception near Centennial Olympic Park.
His mugshot has not yet been released by authorities.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, federal agents operating a specialized counter-drone task force spotted an unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flying directly within a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone.
Investigators tracked the drone’s telemetry back to a nearby parking area, where they observed Rojas-Martinez actively piloting the aircraft and recording video footage of the packed fan festivities below. When agents approached the suspect to demand his pilot credentials and identification, a routine check of his driver’s license exposed a deeper criminal history.
Federal investigators, working in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), determined that Rojas-Martinez was unlawfully present in the United States, having been formally deported from the country on two separate occasions.
A background check also revealed that the suspect held a prior federal felony conviction for cocaine distribution. On Monday this week, prosecutors officially charged Rojas-Martinez with operating a drone in a temporary flight restricted zone and illegal reentry by a removed alien.
“FBI Atlanta’s Counter UAV Task Force has seized 21 drones, including Rojas-Martinez’s,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “As these operators are putting the community at risk, our Ground Intercept Teams will continue to locate operators, seize drones, and pursue prosecution of those who violate the restricted airspace in place around FIFA World Cup activities.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper as part of “Operation Take Back America,” a broader Department of Justice initiative targeting transnational crime and illegal immigration.
The arrest highlights the multi-agency security net deployed to protect millions of spectators, athletes, and staff during the international soccer tournament. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg emphasized that unauthorized drone operations over major international gatherings present an immediate and severe risk to public safety.
“Unauthorized drone operations in restricted airspace present a serious risk to public safety, particularly during major international events such as the FIFA World Cup,” said Hertzberg. “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.”
To combat the threat, the FBI Atlanta Field Office’s Counter-UAV Task Force has “deployed dedicated Ground Intercept Teams throughout the metro area,” officials said.
Officials revealed that the task force has already intercepted and seized 21 unauthorized drones violating the restricted airspace surrounding World Cup venues, warning other hobbyists and operators that future violators face equipment confiscation, heavy criminal penalties, and fines reaching up to $100,000.
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