A Mexican national was charged by criminal complaint for operating a drone without the proper authorization in violation of federal law, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Cristobal Torres Alvarez, 40, was charged by federal complaint on June 29, 2026, with operating as an airman without an airman’s certificate, in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 46306(b)(7).
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to be a success in North Texas. Fans from all over the world are getting a big Texas welcome. It is our duty to make sure that these fans as well as our great citizens of North Texas are protected from drone interference and potentially dangerous situations,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “If you operate a drone, you have a duty to know the law. And know that you cannot fly a drone over either Dallas Stadium or Fan Fest during the World Cup. If you disregard this warning, you should expect to be prosecuted in federal court.”
“The FBI and our partners will continue to identify drone operators who violate Temporary Flight Restrictions. Our collective goal remains that FIFA World Cup 2026 events are safe for all participants and attendees,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Before you fly a drone, I strongly encourage you to check for active flight restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service provider.”
According to the complaint, Alvarez allegedly flew his unregistered drone, a DJI Mini 4 PRO, in the flight-restricted airspace around Dallas Stadium (also known as AT&T Stadium) while a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was in effect. To legally operate his drone within the flight-restricted airspace, Alvarez must have obtained an Airman’s Certificate and must have been a Part 107-licensed pilot with a current certificate or have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, among other requirements. Interception of Alvarez’s drone operation was part of the FBI’s drone counter-surveillance efforts for the FIFA World Cup match at Dallas Stadium that same evening.
So far, during the five FIFA World Cup 2026 games held in Arlington, over 70 drones have been seized. The FBI would like to once again state that there is a “no-fly zone” around the Dallas Stadium and Dallas Fan Fest for three hours prior to each match and three hours after each match. It is a federal crime to fly a drone into a “no-fly zone.”
If convicted, Alvarez faces up to three years in federal prison. The defendant remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas Field Division, Federal Air Marshal, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Arlington, Texas Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
