Dallas Man Charged in Federal Court Following Unauthorised Drone Operations Across Restricted Airport Airspace

Key Points

• A 24-year-old Dallas resident, Pujan Prashantkumar Gajjar, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on four criminal counts related to flying a drone in protected airport airspace.
• Prosecutors allege Gajjar operated an unmanned aircraft inside the runway exclusion zone at Dallas Love Field on 26 June 2025, crossing an active runway, and flew into restricted airspace near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport the following night.
• The indictment further alleges that Gajjar knowingly and willfully acted as an airman without holding the required federal certification.
• Gajjar was arrested by federal authorities on 22 September and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver.
• If convicted on all federal counts, Gajjar faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to eight years in federal prison.

Edition Online (EO) October 20, 2026 – A 24-year-old Dallas man faces up to eight years in federal prison after being indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts involving the repeated and unauthorised operation of a drone within restricted airspace surrounding two major commercial airports in Texas.

As reported by the Department of Justice Public Affairs Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, United States Attorney Ryan Raybould announced that a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment on 16 September against Pujan Prashantkumar Gajjar for offences related to unmanned aircraft operations in protected airspace.

As detailed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould stated that “Safe and secure air travel depends on strict compliance with federal aviation rules”. Raybould added that “Unauthorized drone incursions into protected airport airspace jeopardizes aircraft and endangers pilots, passengers and the entire community. This office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our airspace”.

As reported by official releases from the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock stated that “Operating a drone in restricted airport space threatens the safety of pilots, passengers, and crew in the air as well as communities on the ground”. Rothrock further noted that “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate these types of violations and ensure those who endanger our airspace are held accountable”.

As outlined in the official indictment documents released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Gajjar allegedly flew an unmanned aircraft into the runway exclusion zone at Dallas Love Field at approximately 11:30 p.m. on 26 June 2025. During this incident, the drone allegedly crossed directly over an active runway. On the following evening, Gajjar allegedly operated the same unmanned aircraft within restricted airspace surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Furthermore, as noted in reports by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, prosecutors allege that during both flights, Gajjar knowingly and willfully served as an airman without obtaining the mandatory airman’s certificate required by federal regulations.

Federal law enforcement officers arrested Gajjar on 22 September. Following his arrest, he made his initial court appearance on the same day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver in Dallas. If found guilty of all charges in a court of law, Gajjar faces a maximum penalty of up to eight years in federal custody.

As confirmed by official federal releases, the joint investigation was led by FBI Dallas and the Federal Air Marshal Service, with technical and regulatory assistance provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward L. Hocter of the National Security Section is leading the prosecution on behalf of the federal government. The Department of Justice emphasised that an indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Why are federal authorities taking legal action against illegal drone flights near airports?

Federal authorities and aviation safety regulators enforce strict legal prohibitions against operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in proximity to airports to prevent catastrophic mid-air collisions. Drones entering runway exclusion zones present a direct hazard to commercial jetliners, cargo aircraft, and private pilots during critical phases of flight, such as take-off and landing. Federal law requires drone operators to obtain explicit clearance from air traffic control and hold appropriate FAA certificates before operating near controlled airspace.

What penal statutory provisions govern unauthorized airman service and airspace incursions?

Under United States federal law, operating an unmanned aircraft inside restricted air traffic corridors or runway exclusion zones without clearance constitutes a criminal offence under federal aviation statutes. In addition, serving as an airman—which legally includes remote pilots operating unmanned aircraft systems in controlled airspace—without possessing a valid FAA airman certificate is a federal crime punishable by fines and imprisonment. Prosecutions led by the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office reflect the serious nature with which the federal government treats unauthorised entries into national airspace.

Background of Unauthorized Airport Space Incursions

Federal aviation authorities and law enforcement agencies have progressively tightened enforcement against unauthorized drone operations over the past decade following a rise in reported near-misses around major transportation hubs. Controlled airspace around commercial hubs like Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is heavily regulated under Class B and Class C airspace classifications established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In response to growing safety concerns, federal laws were expanded to establish strict “runway exclusion zones” and mandatory remote identification requirements for commercial and recreational unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Despite clear regulatory frameworks and public education campaigns by the FAA, illegal drone incursions near active runways continue to pose logistical and safety challenges for aviation security personnel, often resulting in delayed flights, emergency re-routings, and joint multi-agency investigations involving the FBI, Federal Air Marshals, and local law enforcement.

Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Drone Operators and Air Travellers?

This high-profile federal prosecution is anticipated to have a direct impact on both drone hobbyists and commercial air travellers across the United States.

• For Drone Operators and Hobbyists: The multi-count indictment and potential eight-year prison sentence serve as a firm legal precedent, signaling a shift toward aggressive criminal prosecution rather than simple civil fines for airspace violations. Remote pilots will face heightened scrutiny and stricter law enforcement monitoring near urban centers and airports. This case is likely to drive higher compliance rates for mandatory FAA airman certification (such as Remote Pilot Certificates under Part 107) and broader adoption of FAA-compliant Remote ID systems among drone enthusiasts.
• For Air Travellers and Airline Operators: Enhanced legal enforcement and joint task force surveillance around major hubs will help mitigate the risk of flight disruptions, emergency ground stops, and flight diversions caused by stray drones near active runways. Passengers utilizing major regional airports, including Dallas Love Field and DFW International, can expect safer flight corridors as federal authorities demonstrate zero tolerance for unauthorised incursions into active commercial airspace.