A San Francisco man has been hit with federal charges for recklessly flying a drone in restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during a high-profile NFL game in California in 2025.
Junwei Guo, 27, is accused of operating a drone within a three nautical mile radius of the stadium on Nov. 9, 2025, during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had imposed a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in the area, prohibiting all aircraft, including drones, from operating in the airspace.
The complaint alleges that Guo flew the drone as high as approximately 2,300 feet above ground level, raising significant concerns for public safety and the potential disruption of air traffic control in the area. Guo allegedly did not register the drone with the FAA, obtain a remote pilot’s certificate with the FAA, or comply with the requirements of the FAA’s recreational use exception.
Guo faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the charged violation of national defense airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 46307. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Jose on Feb. 27, 2026, for an initial appearance.
A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Santa Clara Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Liu is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Natachiana Burney. The FAA has established a ‘No Drone Zone’ for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, 2026, with additional drone restrictions surrounding Levi’s Stadium and in downtown San Francisco during the days leading up to the event.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Paul Rundo, Conspiracy to Violate Anti-Riot Act, California 2023 · California
- Chance Brannon, Xavier Batten, Tibet Ergul, Molotov Cocktail Attack, California 2023 · Michigan
- Alexander Milinovic, Unsafe Operation of Unmanned Aircraft, California 2022 · Texas
- Teranee Millet, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Destructive Device, California 2023 · California
- Chance Brannon, Using an Explosive Device to Damage Real Property Affecting Interstate Commerce, California 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
