Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian, is facing a five-year prison sentence in Texas after being convicted of making false statements to secure a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Following the guilty verdict on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered that Ojo be held in custody until his sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Robert Troester announced Ojo’s conviction on Monday through the FAA’s official website. Ojo was attempting to obtain a medical certificate required for piloting a commercial passenger aircraft, which led to his conviction on August 16, 2024.
Troester highlighted that this case was part of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.
On June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo for making false statements. The jury found him guilty on both counts on August 16, 2024. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Ojo, who is an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, had previously pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges in Kentucky on February 8, 2023, related to stealing passenger luggage at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
In March 2023 and March 2024, Ojo falsely reported to the FAA while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate, attempting to hide his prior criminal convictions. This certificate is necessary for piloting commercial passenger aircraft.
Ojo faces a maximum potential sentence of five years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count
