Particle.news
Download on the App Store
22 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Toronto Man Accused of Posing as Pilot to Take Hundreds of Free Flights Pleads Not Guilty in Hawaii

Prosecutors describe a four-year scheme exploiting staff-travel systems with forged crew identification.

Image
FILE - A sign for the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building and Courthouse is displayed outside the courthouse on Jan. 22, 2024, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Jennifer Kelleher, File)
Image
Leonardo DiCaprio is flanked by airline stewardesses in a scene from Steven Spielberg’s comedy Catch Me If You Can. The actor played Frank Abagnale Jr., a real-life con artist/ace impersonator/seducer of women. Sadly, he was snubbed of an Academy Award nomination for his charming performance.

Overview

  • He was indicted on Oct. 2, 2025, arrested in Panama, extradited to Honolulu, and on Jan. 20, 2026 pleaded not guilty before being ordered detained as a flight risk.
  • Prosecutors charged two counts of wire fraud tied to Hawaiian Airlines tickets issued for flights on Aug. 16 and Oct. 28, 2024.
  • Court records allege he presented a fictitious airline employee ID and posed as a pilot or flight attendant to obtain hundreds of no-cost trips over several years.
  • Authorities say he sometimes requested cockpit jump-seat access, though filings do not establish whether any such requests were granted.
  • The investigation is led by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the unnamed airlines are based in Honolulu, Chicago and Fort Worth, and the statutory maximum includes up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release.