Tracey Michael Mapes, 56, of North Highlands, Sacramento County, has been slapped with federal charges for flying drones over National Football League games in direct violation of national defense airspace regulations, according to a press release from the United States Attorney David L. Anderson and U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General Regional Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Dubsick.
According to an affidavit filed alongside the complaint, Mapes modified a drone by adding a compartment under its belly for flyers. On November 26, 2017, he piloted the drone over Levi’s Stadium during the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks game, followed by another flight over the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for the Oakland Raiders’ match against the Denver Broncos. The brazen actions were witnessed by tens of thousands of spectators.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has jurisdiction over navigable airspace in the United States and is tasked with protecting areas deemed crucial to national security. This includes a three-mile radius around NFL stadiums during games, which Mapes disregarded.
Mapes’ initial court appearance is scheduled for June 4, 2019, at 1:30 PM before a Magistrate Judge in San Jose. The defendant faces up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000 if convicted, along with the possibility of supervised release and additional fines.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Simeon is handling the prosecution with support from Tong Zhang. The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the DOT.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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