News Summary
Andrew Kyle White, a San Diego resident, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for illegally landing his plane on a Navy airstrip and stealing a truck. His actions led to significant damage and a comprehensive military response, costing taxpayers approximately $500,000. The incident raises concerns about security breaches on military installations and the risks associated with unauthorized access.
San Diego – Andrew Kyle White, a 37-year-old resident of San Diego, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for illegally landing his plane on a Navy airstrip and subsequently stealing a truck from the same location. U.S. District Judge granted the sentence along with an order requiring White to pay over $8,000 in restitution for damages incurred during the incident.
White pleaded guilty to charges of theft of government property exceeding $1,000 and illegal entry into a naval installation during a court appearance in Los Angeles on September 15, 2023. Prior to his sentencing, he had been in federal custody after cutting off an ankle monitoring bracelet earlier this year.
The illegal activities took place on San Clemente Island, which is owned and operated by the U.S. Navy and is part of Naval Base Coronado in Los Angeles County. In his plea agreement, White acknowledged that he understood it was illegal to access San Clemente Island without prior government permission. Despite having received a signed letter warning him that it was a federal crime to do so, White first landed his amateur-built Glastar airplane on the island’s airstrip on October 29, 2023.
Following the initial landing, White returned to San Clemente Island again in April 2024. While on the island, he stole a Navy-owned white Ford F-150 truck valued at nearly $16,000. After taking the truck, he drove it around the island and caused significant damage by ramming it into locked gates, which resulted in over $8,000 in damages and towing costs.
Prosecutors highlighted that White’s unlawful actions led to a comprehensive military response, which treated the situation as a potential threat. This required a complete lockdown of the island, consuming nearly 500 man-hours of military personnel to locate the intruder. The Navy estimated that the incident resulted in a loss of approximately $500,000 to taxpayers, considering the resources and costs involved in addressing the security breach.
The case emphasizes the serious nature of illegal entries and thefts on military installations, drawing attention to the potential dangers involved, including the risk of encountering unexploded ordnance in the area surrounding San Clemente Island.
In light of these events and the implications for national security, federal authorities are continuing to monitor and address similar incidents to ensure the safety and security of military assets and personnel. The penalties faced by White serve as a deterrent to others who might consider unlawfully entering military property.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the crucial measures in place to protect military installations and the serious consequences of disregarding the law in such sensitive areas.
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- Local 3 News: NTSB Report Reveals San Diego Control Tower Incident
- Wikipedia: San Diego
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- Google Search: San Diego plane crash
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- NBC San Diego: Fallbrook Plane Crash
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
