Allegedly Flew His Aircraft Over Two Games In 2017, Dropping Leaflets

A drone pilot has been charged with violating TFRs over two NFL stadiums in California on November 26, 2017.

According to an affidavit attached to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose, CA, 56-year-old Tracy Michael Mapes of North Highlands in Sacramento County flew his drone over a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Then, he drove to Oakland where he flew over the Oakland Raiders-Denver Broncos game at Oakland Alameda County Stadium.

CBS news reports that in both instances, the leaflets dropped over the crowd had a large red "X" and the text "WARNING! STOP THE TV WHORE TAKEOVER!" and other content alleging government control of the media.

Alameda County Sheriff's deputies were able to track the drone for about half a mile, and arrested Mapes, who was reportedly wearing a retrofitted helmet and piloting the aircraft with an iPad, according to the court documents. The drone also still contained video and still images that had been captured during the flight.

The affidavit was filed by a Department of Transportation investigating officer.

(Image courtesy of the U.S. District Court for Northern California)

FMI: Source report