Federal authorities have taken into custody a Mexican national who was previously convicted of a felony for reportedly flying a drone illegally over a large crowd at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in downtown Atlanta.
Lorenzo Rojas Martinez, 37, was arrested by federal agents on June 12, 2026, facing multiple federal charges after an investigation involving law enforcement surveillance near Centennial Olympic Park.
As of now, his mugshot has not been released. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia filed a criminal complaint stating that a specialized counter-drone unit spotted an unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operating within a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone.
Investigators traced the drone to a nearby parking lot where they found Rojas-Martinez piloting the aircraft, capturing video of the festivities below. When approached, he was asked for his pilot’s credentials and ID, and a routine driver’s license check revealed a more extensive criminal background.
Collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal investigators established that Rojas-Martinez had been deported twice before and was in the U.S. illegally.
A background check also indicated that he had a felony conviction for cocaine distribution. Consequently, prosecutors charged Rojas Martinez with operating a drone in a TFR zone and re-entering the U.S. illegally.
“The FBI Atlanta Unmanned Aircraft Task Force confiscated 21 drones, including one belonging to Rojas Martinez,” stated FBI special agent Marlo Graham. “These operators endanger local communities, and our teams will keep pursuing those who violate the airspace restrictions around FIFA World Cup events.”
This case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper as part of Operation Take Back America, which targets transnational crime and illegal immigration.
The arrests underscore the extensive security measures taken to protect millions of fans, athletes, and staff during international soccer tournaments. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg pointed out that unauthorized drone flights during major events pose immediate dangers to public safety.
“Unauthorized drone flights in restricted airspace significantly risk public safety, particularly at major international events like the FIFA World Cup,” Hertzberg noted. “This enforcement action shows the commitment of our federal and local partners to detect and stop illegal activities that could endanger spectators and responders.”
To address this threat, the FBI Atlanta Field Office’s Counter-UAV Task Force has deployed ground interception teams across the metropolitan area.
Officials reported that the task force had already intercepted 21 unlicensed drones violating the restricted airspace around World Cup venues, warning enthusiasts that future violations could lead to confiscation of equipment, hefty criminal penalties, and fines up to $100,000.
