Man accused of flying drone over SpaceX wanted to 'see the rockets': CCSO

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man arrested for flying a drone over the SpaceX facility in Cameron County allegedly told authorities he wanted to see the rockets.

Reynold Daniel Chavez, 32, was arrested by the Cameron County Sheriff's Office on a charge of operation of an unmanned aircraft over a critical infrastructure facility.

_{Reynold Daniel Chavez (Cameron County Sheriff's Office)}

On July 20, deputies responded to the SpaceX launch pad near the entrance of Boca Chica Beach on Highway 4 in Cameron County in reference to a drone flying over the property.

When deputies arrived, they spoke with SpaceX security, who said they received an alert of an unauthorized drone flying over the launch pad area. The sheriff's office stated this is considered "critical infrastructure as per the Texas Government Code."

Deputies made contact with the suspected operator of the drone, identified as Chavez.

According to a news release, Chavez told deputies he was from out of town and "he was flying his drone to see the rockets."

Chavez was told he was flying in a restricted area, and responded that he was not aware it was restricted.

SpaceX security wished to file charges on Chavez and he was taken into custody.