U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Jose Gerardo Garrido-Benitez on July 6 after he was found flying a drone in restricted airspace near Arrowhead Stadium during World Cup festivities in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a July 17 statement from the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal agents initially seized Garrido-Benitez’s drone when it was discovered operating within 2.5 miles of the stadium on July 3. After notification, ICE took him into custody, where he remains pending removal proceedings.
Garrido-Benitez has a criminal history that includes convictions for felony forgery and driving while intoxicated, as well as prior arrests for battery, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and possession of opiates or narcotic drugs.
Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said, “This criminal illegal alien dangerously flew a drone in restricted airspace near a FIFA event in Kansas City, Missouri. His lengthy criminal history includes driving while intoxicated, forgery, battery, and possession of drugs. The Trump Administration will not allow illegal aliens to threaten the safety and security of the American people. We will continue to guarantee the safety of all who attend these historic games as the World Cup comes to an end.”
According to DHS records provided in the statement, Garrido-Benitez originally entered the United States illegally through California in 2003 before being deported. He subsequently re-entered at an unknown date and location—an act classified as a felony—and was issued a final order of removal by an Immigration Judge on February 14, 2005.