OC Pilot Indicted for Allegedly Flying Out of Santa Monica Without License

SANTA MONICA, CA - An Orange County pilot was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on two counts of allegedly flying a plane without a license.

Arnold Gerald Leto III, 36, of Irvine was indicted with operating an aircraft in air transportation without a valid pilot’s license.

Leto was accused of flying a Cessna Citation turbojet aircraft from Santa Monica to Phoenix, Ariz. on Jan. 30, 2015, and a Falcon 10 turbojet aircraft from Van Nuys Airport to Las Vegas on April 8, 2016.

Leto allegedly operated the aircraft with approximately eight passengers on board in the Las Vegas flight.

“Federal regulations governing the operation of aircraft and other common carriers are designed to protect the traveling public,” United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker said. “The investigation into Mr. Leto shows that he flagrantly violated these rules – and continued to do so after the FAA took action to take him out of the air.”

According to the complaint, the Falcon 10 turbojet required to two pilots to operate, which Leto piloted alone. Leto also did not have the a turbojet license, which he refused to surrender to the Federal Aviation Administration after the agency revoked his license in January 2015.

Leto faces a maximum of three years in prison for each charge if convicted.

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