BOSTON – Antonio Santonastaso, 59, of East Brookfield, Massachusetts, is facing serious federal charges after a grand jury indictment revealed a pattern of brazen disregard for the law. Santonastaso is accused of illegally operating an aircraft, repeatedly lying to federal investigators, and attempting to silence a potential witness – all while already banned from the pilot’s seat.
The indictment details one count of serving as an airman without a valid airman certificate, two counts of making false statements to federal agents, and one count of attempted witness tampering. Santonastaso was initially arrested and charged by complaint earlier this month, but the grand jury’s decision elevates the stakes significantly. He now faces the potential for a lengthy prison sentence.
Court documents paint a picture of a man determined to fly despite a decades-old revocation of his pilot’s license. In 2000, Santonastaso was stripped of his flying privileges after being implicated in the theft of a helicopter from Norwood Memorial Airport. Undeterred, he allegedly took to the skies more than 50 times between April 28, 2018, and November 11, 2018, piloting a Robinson R-22 helicopter from the shockingly convenient launchpad of his own backyard. FAA inspectors deemed the backyard takeoff and landing path “extremely hazardous.”
The lies didn’t stop there. When confronted by the FAA and federal agents, Santonastaso allegedly spun a web of falsehoods regarding his eligibility to pilot the aircraft. He falsely claimed ignorance of the license revocation and fabricated details about his applications for the required medical certificate. This wasn’t simply a case of bending the rules; it was a deliberate attempt to deceive authorities and skirt the law.
The indictment also alleges a disturbing attempt to obstruct justice. Santonastaso is accused of trying to “corruptly persuade” an individual to withhold information about his illegal flights from law enforcement. This wasn’t merely a request for discretion; it was a calculated effort to tamper with a witness and cover his tracks. The details of this alleged tampering remain sealed, but the charge itself speaks volumes about the lengths Santonastaso allegedly went to.
If convicted, Santonastaso faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. However, the final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Douglas Shoemaker of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General announced the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich is prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and Santonastaso is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related Federal Cases
- Princess Cruise Lines Pays $40M for Illegal Ocean Dumping · U.S. Virgin Islands
- Rhode Island Man Gets 3 Years for Pandemic Theft · Massachusetts
- Middleboro Adviser Rips Off Seniors, Gets 4+ Years · Massachusetts
- FDIC Assembles New Banking Watchdogs · Washington
- James Sues Trump Admin Over $100K H-1B Visa Fee · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
