Four Houston-area residents federally charged for flying drones near FIFA Fan Festival, DOJ says

Four Houston-area residents have been federally charged for flying drones in restricted airspace near the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival without authorization, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Acting U.S. Attorney John G. E. Marck announced the charges Friday. Meza, Zale, and Huu are scheduled to appear in court on July 7, while Heer is due July 8. The DOJ says Heer used a drone in restricted airspace near Polk and Chartres streets on June 13. Meza is accused of flying within a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone along Live Oak Street near Texas Avenue and Capitol Street on June 11. Zale faces similar allegations on June 11 near Middle Street, Kennedy Street, and Freund Street, and Huu is accused of a June 18 TFR flight along Jefferson Street near Sampson and Pease streets. The DOJ cites designated “No Drone Zones” around FIFA stadiums and event spaces.