Ventura Man Indicted for Aircraft Parts Fraud

News Summary

Jared Michael Swensen, owner of Light Helicopter Depot, has been indicted on multiple charges including wire fraud and aircraft parts fraud. A federal grand jury’s 10-count indictment details allegations of misrepresenting aircraft part conditions to customers, potentially endangering aircraft safety. The fraud involved falsified documents and misleading claims about the service history of various components. Federal prosecutors highlight the risks posed by the alleged fraudulent activities, raising concerns about public safety in aviation. If convicted, Swensen faces substantial penalties, which could have broader implications for the industry.

California – Jared Michael Swensen, a 48-year-old resident of Ventura, has been indicted on multiple charges including wire fraud and aircraft part fraud. A federal grand jury has issued a 10-count indictment against him and his company, Light Helicopter Depot, which operated out of the Oxnard Airport. The allegations center around Swensen’s purported scheme to sell aircraft parts that were nearing the end of their service life, falsely claiming they were new or in better condition than they actually were.

The indictment specifies that the alleged fraudulent activities took place between April 2020 and August 2023. Swensen faces two counts of wire fraud and eight counts related to the fraudulent sale of aircraft parts. If he is convicted, he could face significant penalties, including a maximum of 20 years for each count of wire fraud and up to 15 years for each count related to aircraft parts fraud. Additionally, Light Helicopter Depot could incur heavy financial repercussions, with fines potentially reaching $10 million for each count of aircraft parts fraud and up to $1 million for each wire fraud count.

Federal prosecutors have provided evidence that Swensen falsified important documents including maintenance logbooks, sales orders, and packing slips to misrepresent the age and service history of aircraft parts sold through his business. One critical allegation includes the misrepresentation of main rotor blades, claimed to have only 215.2 hours of service when in actuality they had at least 2,108 hours. Another component, the clutch actuator, was reported to have zero hours of service but was found to actually have at least 1,240 hours in use. Prosecutors expressed concern that such equipment failures could result in serious accidents, potentially even helicopter crashes.

Furthermore, Swensen’s business marketed its services with federal certifications, claiming to be authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for inspections. This advertising implies a high level of trust and reliability, which prosecutors argue is misaligned with the reality of the products being sold.

Customers of Light Helicopter Depot reportedly faced bills for maintenance services that were excessively high, with charges ranging from $13,000 to $23,700. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General has been actively investigating the case, in collaboration with the FAA, leading to the indictment against Swensen and his company.

The legal proceedings for Jared Michael Swensen have 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 exposes serious concerns regarding the safety and integrity of aircraft parts in the industry, primarily reflecting on the adherence to regulations that aim to ensure public safety in aviation.

The outcome of the indictment could have significant implications not just for Swensen and his business but for the broader industry as well, raising awareness about the importance of transparency and honesty in the sale of aviation parts and components.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• VC Star: Swensen Light Helicopter Depot Federal Charges
• Independent: Ventura Man Arrested on Federal Charges
• CBS News: Ventura Man Arrested in Helicopter Parts Fraud
• Wikipedia: Helicopter
• LA Times: Helicopter Business Fraud
• Google Search: Helicopter Parts Fraud