California Man Arrested for Aircraft Parts Fraud

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Essential aircraft parts being repaired, emphasizing the importance of accurate maintenance practices.

News Summary

Jared Michael Swensen from Ventura has been arrested following a federal indictment on 10 counts of fraud related to his business, Light Helicopter Depot. Allegations include selling misrepresented aircraft parts that were nearing the end of their service life. Potential penalties could reach 20 years for wire fraud and significant financial fines for the fraudulent activities. This case raises serious concerns about aviation safety protocols and the integrity of maintenance operations in the sector.

California – Jared Michael Swensen, a 48-year-old man from Ventura, has been arrested following a federal grand jury indictment on 10 counts of fraud. The indictment alleges that Swensen, who operated his business, Light Helicopter Depot, out of the Oxnard Airport, fraudulently repaired and sold aircraft parts that were nearing the end of their service life, misrepresenting them as new.

The alleged fraudulent activities took place between April 2020 and August 2023. Swensen faces two counts of wire fraud and eight counts pertaining to aircraft parts fraud. Should he be convicted, he is looking at a potential maximum sentence of 20 years for each wire fraud count and 15 years for each count related to aircraft parts fraud. Light Helicopter Depot could also incur substantial financial penalties, with fines reaching up to $10 million for each aircraft parts fraud count and up to $1 million for each wire fraud count.

According to federal prosecutors, Swensen engaged in various deceptive practices to defraud customers. The indictment claims he made fraudulent entries in maintenance logbooks and altered sales orders and packing slips to misrepresent the actual age and service history of crucial aircraft components. Essential parts manipulated included main rotor blades, which were purported to have significantly fewer service hours than they actually possessed. One specific example states that Swensen claimed main rotor blades had only 215.2 hours in service, though they were found to have at least 2,108 hours. Similarly, a clutch actuator was marketed as having zero hours, while it had been in service for at least 1,240 hours. Such discrepancies could likely result in equipment failures, putting the safety of helicopter operations at risk.

Swensen’s company billed customers for maintenance services, with charges reaching as high as $23,700 for faulty repairs. The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General led the investigation into these activities, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Swensen’s case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Mitchell and Danbee Kim, who are part of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section. This case highlights critical concerns regarding aviation safety, as the fraudulent practices described could potentially jeopardize rotorcraft operations.

The charges against Swensen come at a time when aviation safety protocols are under increased scrutiny, particularly concerning the integrity of aviation maintenance organizations and the parts they use. The aviation sector, which operates under strict federal regulations, requires that all aircraft parts are thoroughly inspected and meet specific safety standards. The allegations against Light Helicopter Depot raise significant questions about adherence to these essential standards.

The alleged fraudulent actions of Swensen not only threaten the safety of individuals utilizing rotorcraft but also undermine the trust in regulatory frameworks designed to ensure aviation safety. With the strong penalties outlined in the indictment, this case serves as a stern reminder of the severe consequences associated with fraudulent behavior in the aviation industry.