A Baltimore man is facing federal felony charges after illegally flying a drone over the stadium during the Wild Card Game, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Officials revealed that during the Ravens game on January 11, an unapproved and unidentified drone flew over the stadium. The security team had to temporarily suspend the game as this was deemed a serious threat. FBI Special Agents and Maryland State Police were able to track down where the drone landed and identify the person who flew it as 43-year-old Alexis Perez Suarez. The drone was allegedly flown 400 feet or higher over the stadium, and during the flight, Suarez took several photos of the game and the fans at the stadium, the report stated. Suarez claimed he bought the drone for recreational use and work. However, Suarez did not have a Remote Pilot Certificate or have the drone registered, the press release mentioned. Officials reported that the Federal Aviation Administration put a temporary flight restriction during the game which restricts certain aircraft, including drones, from flying within a three-nautical mile radius of the stadium. This restriction went into effect an hour before the game and an hour after the game. "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. If convicted, Suarez may face up to “three years in federal prison for knowingly operating an unregistered UAS and for knowingly serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate. Suarez faces a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating United States National Defense Airspace,” as stated in the press release.
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