"If you plan to attend any of the Papal visit events, please leave your drone at home," Huerta stated. "Anyone flying a drone within the designated restricted areas may be subject to civil and criminal charges."
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the United States September 22-27 in his first papal visit to the country.
At present, the FAA has imposed flight restrictions in the airspace over Washington, DC, New York and Philadelphia.
"A prohibition against flying any type of unmanned aircraft without specific approval exists around the District of Columbia, cities, towns and airports," the release said. "The FAA temporarily has expanded restrictions for all aircraft, including drones, to include Potomac Airfield, College Park and Washington Executive/Hyde Park airports."
On Tuesday, US authorities detained a teenage boy outside of Philadelphia for allegedly planning an Islamic State-inspired attack on Pope Francis during his visit to the United States later in September.
