U.S. Air Marshal Admits To Selling Family Cards, Lying To Federal Officer

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — A U.S. Air Marshal from Middlesex County pleaded guilty this week to selling law enforcement family member cards embossed with U.S. Department of Homeland Security insignia for thousands of dollars.

Jonathan J. Ledesma, 38, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges including making false statements and selling official insignia without authorization, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release.

According to prosecutors, Ledesma purchased cards that identified their bearers as being a family member of "Jonathan J. Ledesma," a "Federal Officer." The cards were embossed with DHS insignia and a QR code that was linked to Ledesma's cell phone.

Ledesma admitted to selling these cards to people who were not family members between October 2021 and January 2023, prosecutors said.

In July 2022, Ledesma sold one of the cards to a person for $1,700, according to court documents. The person was later arrested at a Kentucky airport, which led authorities to find the card.

According to court documents, a federal officer scanned the QR code and spoke with Ledesma, who told the officer that he had given the card to the person because he was a friend and business associate of the person’s father; however, Ledesma had never met or done business with person’s father.

In January 2023, Ledesma sold a second card to another person for $1,100, prosecutors said.

Ledesma could face more than five years in prison on both counts. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20.