Jeffery Michael Patterson, an Anderson County man, is headed for federal prison after pleading guilty to making false statements during a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. The 48-year-old admitted he lied to federal agents about possessing FAA certifications required for aircraft repair work — a deception that could have put lives at risk.
Patterson, employed at an FAA-approved airplane repair and service facility in South Carolina, claimed he held the necessary credentials to perform specialized maintenance. During a routine employee audit, the facility attempted to verify his certifications through official FAA channels — only to discover Patterson held none of the qualifications he claimed. The alarming discrepancy triggered a federal probe.
The case was handed over to the Inspector General (IG) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. When questioned by IG special agents, Patterson doubled down with a fabricated story. He asserted he did hold the certifications, but under different names, alleging the Treasury Department had changed his identity multiple times to protect his family from drug dealers targeted by his father, a former drug enforcement officer.
At the guilty plea hearing in Columbia, South Carolina, Patterson admitted the entire narrative was a lie. There were no name changes. No Treasury Department cover-ups. No witness protection. Just a hollow attempt to cover up his lack of qualifications while working on high-risk aviation systems.
Now facing the full weight of federal law, Patterson could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined $250,000. U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain will determine his sentence following a presentence investigation conducted by federal authorities.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville Office. Federal investigators are emphasizing that falsifying credentials in safety-sensitive industries won’t be tolerated — especially when public lives are in the balance.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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