Six individuals pleaded guilty, while three others face charges for allegedly violating U.S. airspace by operating unauthorised drones as the United States government vowed strict enforcement during 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the country, Canada and Mexico.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas explained details of the cases in a statement on Friday, warning World Cup attendees to register and label their drones as well as obtain a Part 107 pilot’s licence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before operating them. 

The nine defendants, who pleaded guilty or still facing criminal charges, were either indicted on one count of either operating as an Airman without an airman’s certificate or felony operation of an unregistered drone. 

David Flores, David Fowler, Ernesto Villanueva Gonzalez, Jason Carvell Banner, Scott Lorenzen and Shawn Yang, all of whom pleaded guilty, were sentenced to penalties ranging from fines and probation to prison terms.

Meanwhile, cases involving Vincent Paolella, Jasson Longoria and Melvin Mitchell III are still pending. 

“As part of ongoing drone enforcement, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has prosecuted numerous individuals for illegally flying unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in restricted areas, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould,” the attorney’s office stated. 

The office noted that the FAA imposed a Temporary Flight Restriction across several locations in Texas during the World Cup, including over the Dallas Stadium on matchdays and daily over Fair Park in Dallas, where the FIFA Fan Festival will take place from June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026.

Subsequently, drone operators were advised to register, label and obtain Part 107 pilot’s license before flying their drones over flight-restricted airspace and for other purposes. They are also required to obtain a TRUST certificate from the FAA and carry it with them at all times while operating a drone.