Ravens Insider: Baltimore man pleads guilty to flying drone over Ravens-Steelers playoff game

[ExtremeRavens]

A Baltimore man pleaded guilty Wednesday to flying a drone over M&T Bank Stadium in January, interrupting a Ravens-Steelers wild-card playoff game, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Alexis Perez Suarez, 43, was sentenced to one year of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $500 fine on charges of violating national defense airspace.

According to the plea, Suarez flew his drone over M&T Bank Stadium, despite the Federal Aviation Administration placing a temporary flight restriction on the stadium during the football game. This restriction blocked aircraft, including the drone Suarez was operating, from flying near the stadium.

Federal law restricts unmanned aircraft systems, such as drones, from flying at or below a 3-mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people.

NFL security suspended the game — halting play during a Steelers’ drive in the third quarter — when Suarez’s drone was spotted, to assess the potential threat posed, but eventually resumed the contest. The Ravens went on to win the game, 28-14, advancing to the divisional round.

Maryland State Police and the FBI tracked the movement of the drone back to Suarez, obtaining and executing a warrant for his arrest on Feb. 18.

“It is not just irresponsible and reckless, but illegal to fly a drone over a major sporting event such as a Ravens playoff game. Capturing a photo is not worth the risk of hurting any spectators, players, or employees,” said FBI Special Agent Amanda M. Koldjeski, who was in charge of the investigation.

In his guilty plea, Suarez admitted the drone he was flying was not registered, and that he knew there was a flight restriction over the stadium during the game. He captured seven photos of the stadium while flying over it.

Suarez wasn’t the first person to face consequences for flying a drone over a Ravens home game — Matthew Herbert of Pennsylvania pleaded guilty last year to flying a drone over the team’s playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2024.

Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@baltsun.com, 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.

View the full article