CINCINNATI — Two Cincinnati-area men pleaded guilty on Tuesday to illegally flying drones over professional sporting events.
Dailon Dabney, 24, flew a drone into Paul Brown Stadium, now Paycor Stadium, during a Cincinnati Bengals game in Jan. 2022. Dabney recorded the flight and posted it online.
Travis Lenhoff, 38, flew a drone over the Great American Ballpark during the Cincinnati Reds’ season opener in April 2022.
“It is not worth risking federal criminal charges to illegally fly a drone over events like Reds and Bengals games. Even if there is no intent to harm, this conduct poses a direct risk to the players and the individuals in the stands,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “As we kickoff FC Cincinnati and Reds seasons this month, and look to summer concert season, we ask the public to refrain from using drones illegally over events.”
The United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Ohio said it is illegal to fly drones in areas designated as having a Temporary Flight Restriction.
Both drones were also not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, any drone weighing between .55 pounds and 55 pounds must be registered with the FAA. Neither defendant had a remote pilot certification.
“Flying a drone over a stadium full of fans is dangerous and illegal without the proper FAA training, licensing, and approved flight plan,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “We will continue to work with the FAA and local police to investigate these incidents when proper FAA protocols and procedures are not followed.”
Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of violating a Temporary Flight Restriction, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. Neither defendant has been sentenced.
