Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian pilot, has been convicted in Texas of making false statements to secure a medical certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Ojo, who had been seeking the certificate necessary for piloting commercial passenger aircraft, was found guilty on August 16, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman has ordered Ojo’s detention until sentencing, which could result in up to five years in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon prosecuted the case, which was part of an ongoing investigation by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Investigations.
U.S. Attorney Robert Troester announced Ojo’s conviction on Monday, revealing that the pilot had attempted to conceal a history of criminal convictions from the FAA.
Ojo, who had previously pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour theft charges related to passenger luggage theft at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
The false statements were intended to hide his criminal record, which is pertinent for obtaining the medical certificate required to pilot commercial aircraft.
For each count, Ojo faces fines of up to $250,000 in addition to the potential prison term.
