A federal criminal complaint has been filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland, accusing drone selfie pilot Matthew Hebert, 44, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, of federal felony charges associated with operating a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during the National Football League’s AFC Championship game in Baltimore on January 28, 2024.

Per the affidavit supporting the criminal complaint, on January 28, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore during the National Football League (NFL) AFC Championship game. This restriction prohibited the operation of any Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including those covered under the Exception for Recreational Flyers. The TFR, a standard protocol for stadiums or sporting venues hosting regular or postseason Major League Baseball, NFL, or NCAA Division One Games, as well as NASCAR Cup, Indy Car, or Champ Series Races, delineates a three nautical mile radius around the stadium. The TFR comes into effect one hour before the scheduled start time and remains in place until one hour after the conclusion of a qualifying event.

On January 28, 2024, the incursion of an unapproved and unidentified drone during the game posed a significant threat, leading NFL Security to suspend the game temporarily. Maryland State Police (MSP) Troopers monitored the drone’s trajectory directly over the stadium and mobilized to the spot where it landed in the 500 block of South Sharp Street in Baltimore. FBI agents joined MSP Troopers at the location to assist. Hebert was located at that address and cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation.

Hebert informed law enforcement that he acquired a DJI Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in 2021 and utilized the DJI account to operate the drone. Notably, the drone lacked proper registration, and Hebert did not possess a Remote Pilot certificate, a requisite for its operation. The affidavit states that on previous occasions, the DJI application impeded his UAS operation due to flight restrictions. Hebert exclusively relied on the DJI application to ascertain whether he had permission to fly the UAS. Allegedly, on January 28, 2024, Hebert assumed clearance for his UAS flight as the DJI application did not impose any restrictions. Hebert purportedly flew the drone at approximately 100 meters or higher for approximately two minutes. During this flight, he allegedly took approximately six photos, including images of himself and the Stadium, and possibly recorded a video.

In the event of conviction, Hebert could receive a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for knowingly operating an unregistered Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and knowingly acting as an airman without the required airman’s certificate. Additionally, Hebert may face a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating United States National Defense Airspace.

“Operating a drone requires users to act responsibly and educate themselves on when and how to use them safely,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI would like to remind the public of the potential dangers of operating a drone in violation of federal laws and regulations.  The reckless operation of a UAS in the vicinity of a large crowd can be dangerous to the public, as well as interfere with other law enforcement and security operations.”

Last week, the FAA released information ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, warning drone pilots of the “No Drone Zones” that will be established in and around the Las Vegas area before and during the game.

Post Image- M&T Bank Stadium (Image Credit: Adobe Stock by dima)