May 15, 2019

Drone pilot accused of violating airspace during NFL games

Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Nov. 20, 2016.

Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

A drone pilot faces federal charges of violating national airspace after anti-media flyers were dropped over 2 sports stadiums during NFL games in 2017, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California said Wednesday.

Details: Tracey Michael Mapes, 56, of North Highlands, in Sacramento County, was charged Tuesday. He first piloted the drone over Levi’s Stadium, where the San Francisco 49ers were hosting the Seattle Seahawks, authorities say. Then he did the same during an Oakland Raiders-Denver Broncos game at County Coliseum, the attorney's office said. He's due to face court on June 4.

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