Mexican man arrested for flying drone in restricted airspace during Atlanta FIFA festival
Jul 6, 2026·Location: Atlanta, GA
Country of origin: Mexico

Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, a 37-year-old Mexican national who had been deported twice previously, was arrested after operating a drone in restricted airspace near Centennial Olympic Park during the 2026 FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta on June 12. Federal agents observed him operating the drone from a parking lot, where he was recording video of the event. After confirming his unlawful presence in the United States, he was taken into custody and transferred to ICE. He faces federal charges for operating a drone in a temporary flight restricted zone and illegal reentry after prior deportations. ICE arrested Jose Garrido-Benitez, 51, on July 6 after he was caught flying a drone in a no-fly zone 2.5 miles from Arrowhead Stadium on July 3. Garrido-Benitez, a Mexican national, was detained for unlawful presence in the United States. ICE stated he had prior convictions and had been removed from the U.S. in 2003 before unlawfully reentering.
Sources
- fox26houston.com
- Man charged with flying drone in restricted Atlanta airspace during World Cup festival |
- Mexican national charged for drone operation and illegal reentry during Atlanta FIFA event - GA News Gazette
ganewsgazette.com·Jun 15, 2026·archived copy
- Man illegally in U.S. arrested for flying drone at FIFA Fan Fest, feds say
- Man charged with flying drone in restricted Atlanta airspace during World Cup festival
- Twice-deported undocumented immigrant faces charges for operating a drone near a FIFA event - Total News
totalnews.com·Jun 19, 2026·archived copy
- totalprosports.com
- ntd.com
Jun 17, 2026·archived copy
- ice.gov
Aug 3, 2026·archived copy
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