Antonio Santonastaso, Unlawful Helicopter Operation, Massachusetts 2018

BOSTON – Antonio Santonastaso, a 62-year-old East Brookfield man, was convicted today by a federal jury in Worcester of unlawfully operating a helicopter, making false statements to federal investigators, and attempting to tamper with a witness.

The conviction stems from Santonastaso’s operation of a Robinson R-22 helicopter from his backyard more than 50 times between April 28, 2018, and November 11, 2018, despite his pilot’s license being revoked in 2000. When questioned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Santonastaso made false statements regarding his eligibility to pilot the helicopter.

Evidence presented at trial established that Santonastaso attempted to corruptly persuade an individual with the intent to hinder, delay, and prevent that individual from reporting his illegal helicopter flights to law enforcement.

“Mr. Santonastaso demonstrated a blatant disregard for FAA rules and regulations by operating a helicopter out of his backyard without a license on numerous occasions. Every time he did so, he endangered himself, his community, and the general public on the ground,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked Santonastaso’s license to pilot an aircraft in 2000, after he participated in the theft of a helicopter from Norwood Memorial Airport.

The charging statutes provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for October 5, 2022. Santonastaso was indicted in May 2019.

Santonastaso was convicted of one count of serving as an airman without an airman certificate, one count of making false statements to federal agents, and one count of attempted witness tampering.

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