ICE arrested Jose Gerardo Garrido-Benitez after a drone was flown into restricted airspace near Arrowhead Stadium during FIFA World Cup events in Kansas City, with DHS officials citing his criminal history and an existing final order of removal.
Federal authorities responded after a drone entered airspace restricted for a World Cup event on July 3 near Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The individual identified as Jose Gerardo Garrido-Benitez was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 6 following the incident. Officials said the drone was flown less than 2.5 miles from the stadium, triggering a safety and security response around the event.
Department of Homeland Security officials said they took action once the intrusion was discovered and that evidence and the device itself were collected. After the flyover, “seized his drone and notified ICE,” the department said. Local and federal agents coordinated to secure the scene and start an investigation into how and why the drone entered restricted airspace during a high-profile sporting event.
“This criminal illegal alien dangerously flew a drone in restricted airspace near a FIFA event in Kansas City, Missouri,” DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. The quote was released directly by the department as part of its public description of the incident and the steps taken afterward. That official language framed the flight as a direct threat to public safety at a major international event.
“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,” Bis continued. The department emphasized the suspect’s prior arrests and convictions when explaining the decision to take custody and move toward removal proceedings.
Garrido-Benitez reportedly had a federal final order of removal dating back to February 2005, and officials said he first crossed into the United States illegally in 2003. Records indicate he was deported at one point, though the exact timing of any subsequent reentry was not detailed by the department. DHS officials also noted previous convictions that included felony forgery and driving while intoxicated, with other allegations tied to prior arrests for battery and drug offenses.
According to authorities, the drone itself was collected as evidence and turned over to federal investigators before ICE took custody of Garrido-Benitez. He is currently being held by ICE pending deportation, and the department has framed the detention as consistent with enforcing removal orders and protecting public safety. Law enforcement sources said the coordination between aviation safety officials and immigration authorities was prompt once the unauthorized flight was detected.
From a law-and-order perspective, the case underscores how restricted airspace around major international events is treated as a national security and public-safety priority. Officials pointed to the long list of prior criminal contacts in explaining why the arrest and removal process moved quickly. For now, Garrido-Benitez remains in ICE custody as federal authorities continue to process his case and prepare for deportation procedures.
