A warning for all drone users, know the law before you fly. 

A local Youtuber is facing serious consequences after pleading guilty to violating national defense airspace. 

Fifty-five-year-old Billy Cao Cruz, creator of the Planet Guam Youtube channel, admitted to flying a drone over Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and uploading the video online. 

The aerial footage racked up over 12,000 views before being taken down, after federal authorities stepped in.

Cruz’s guilty plea comes with up to one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. As part of the agreement, he also surrendered the drone used, a DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro, and other video equipment.

Federal court documents show Cruz had been previously warned by the FBI about flying drones over military installations, including an incident near Andersen Air Force Base in 2021. 

Despite that, prosecutors say Cruz recorded and uploaded new footage of Camp Blaz in February of this year, in restricted airspace.

FAA rules clearly prohibit unauthorized drone flights over sensitive military sites. and federal investigators say Cruz acknowledged the risks, understanding that adversaries could exploit such footage.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 11. Meanwhile, another recent drone incident over an Army missile site in Dededo remains under review.

It’s a cautionary tale for drone operators: Always check flight restrictions and airspace regulations