A federal jury in Texas has found Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian pilot, guilty of making false statements to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The conviction, announced by U.S. Attorney Robert Troester, could result in a five-year prison sentence and significant fines for Ojo.
U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered Ojo’s detention following the guilty verdict on August 16, 2024. The case, part of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations, was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, had previously pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court. These charges were related to the theft of passenger luggage from baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
The crux of the federal case against Ojo centered on his subsequent actions. In March 2023 and March 2024, while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate, Ojo made false statements to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. This certificate is crucial for pilots, as it permits them to operate commercial passenger aircraft.
On June 4, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making false statements. The jury’s guilty verdict on both counts exposes Ojo to potentially severe consequences.
U.S. Attorney Troester emphasized the gravity of Ojo’s actions, stating, “The integrity of our aviation system relies on the truthfulness of pilots and other aviation professionals. Falsifying information to obtain FAA certification not only undermines this system but also poses potential risks to public safety.”
The conviction carries serious penalties. Ojo faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison for each count. Additionally, he could be fined up to $250,000 per count, totaling a possible $500,000 in fines.
