Pennsylvania Man Facing Federal Felony Charges for Illegally Operating a Drone During the National Football League’s AFC Championship Game
A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Matthew Hebert, age 44, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on federal felony charges related to his flying a drone over M&T Bank stadium during the National Football League’s AFC Championship game in Baltimore on January 28, 2024.
The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Baltimore Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Neighbors of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office; and Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (“MSP”).
“Illegally operating drones poses a significant security risk that will lead to federal charges,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron, “Temporary flight restrictions are always in place during large sporting events.”
“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.”
Read more: Department of Justice