A Texas man accused of flying a drone near Globe Life Field during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field has been charged with violating national defense airspace.
A complaint, filed by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on May 30, alleges that on Oct. 19, the same day the Texas Rangers lost to the Houston Astros in Game 4 for the American League Championship Series, Jason Carvell Banner flew an unmanned aircraft system in a restricted airspace surrounding the professional baseball field in Arlington.
The Rangers lost that game 10-3 to the Houston Astros but, of course, went on to win the series in seven games before taking the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Banner is charged with violating national defense airspace, which is subject to fines and possibly imprisonment of up to a year. Complaint documents related to the case are sealed.
The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General is investigating the situation with the FBI and assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.
A Pennsylvania man, Matthew Hebert was charged in February after flying a drone over Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium during the NFL’s AFC championship game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 28. That game was delayed during the first quarter because of the drone’s activities. Hebert pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $500 fine and a $25 assessment, according to the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General.
