Mitchell Parsons Hughes of Decatur, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to illegally flying a drone over Truist Park during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July 2025. He was sentenced to six months’ probation and fined $500 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell Vineyard.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, “Anyone attempting to fly a drone in a prohibited manner can expect to be prosecuted. Flight restrictions are implemented for the safety of everyone, whether at the event or nearby. My office and its partners will enforce the law to protect the community whenever a major event, such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup, is hosted in our district.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said, “Flying a small drone means you are flying an aircraft, and unsafe behavior will cost you. These actions can be dangerous to the public and interfere with security operations.”
Joseph Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General’s Southern Region, added: "Drone regulations protect the public and ensure the safety of our national airspace. Flying drones illegally—especially above large sporting events filled with families, friends, and fans—poses serious risks. This guilty plea highlights our continued dedication to working with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and avert dangerous incidents."
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and supporting agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for Truist Park on July 15, 2025—the day of the MLB All-Star Game—making it a No Drone Zone within one nautical mile radius of the stadium. TFRs are standard for major sporting events held by organizations such as NFL, MLB, NCAA Division I sports, Major League Soccer, and NASCAR; they typically begin one hour before an event starts and end one hour after it concludes.
Authorities maintain zero tolerance for unauthorized drone flights within these restricted zones; violators may face arrest, prosecution, fines or imprisonment.
During the All-Star Game at Truist Park, Hughes flew his drone directly over the stadium despite receiving warnings about flight restrictions via his device’s control panel. He also admitted that his drone was unregistered and that he lacked required training or licensing—including a remote pilot certificate—to operate unmanned aircraft systems.
The case was investigated by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Transportation - Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), with assistance from FAA officials and Cobb County Police Department.
For more information about this case or related matters handled by federal prosecutors in northern Georgia visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
