Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian, has been found guilty in Texas of making false statements to obtain a medical certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The verdict, delivered on August 16, 2024, could result in a five-year prison sentence for Ojo.
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Following the conviction, US District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered Ojo’s detention until his sentencing. US Attorney Robert Troester announced the conviction on Monday through the FAA’s official website. Troester revealed that Ojo had been attempting to acquire a medical certificate necessary for piloting commercial passenger aircraft.
“The case is part of an ongoing investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations,” said Troester. “It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.”
According to Troester, on June 4, 2024, a federal jury indicted Ojo on two counts of making false statements. On August 16, 2024, Ojo was found guilty on both counts.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Ojo, who was an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, had previously pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky. These charges were related to theft from baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Ojo made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate, which is required for piloting commercial aircraft. The falsifications were aimed at concealing his prior criminal convictions.
Ojo now faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and potential fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
