via Shutterstock

via Shutterstock

Police fined a Virginia man for illegally flying a drone near the National Mall. Officials were notified on Wednesday around 4 a.m. that John Newcomer Jr. was flying an unmanned aircraft near 16th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, the U.S. Park Police announced today.

This is the first report this year of a drone being operated in one of the region’s national parks, according to a release from the park police. There have been 28 incidents since 2013, including an inebriated man who crashed a drone on White House grounds last January.

The Federal Aviation Administration has drone policies prohibiting D.C. area hobbyists from flying unmanned aircrafts in restricted areas.

Newcomer, 51, received a citation for $85, which comes with a $30 processing fee.