Gilbert Basaldua, Trade Secret Theft, South Carolina 2024

Savannah, GA – Gilbert Basaldua, a 62-year-old man from Hilton Head, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal trade secrets from aircraft companies, leaving him facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney David H. Estes, Basaldua could face up to 10 years in prison on each of the two charges against him, as well as substantial financial penalties. There is no parole in the federal system.

Basaldua was a numerical control engineer contractor for an aircraft manufacturer in the Southern District from October 2016 through November 2018. During this time, he conspired with co-conspirators to steal valuable proprietary aircraft wing designs and anti-icing testing information from various aircraft manufacturers, including the company where Basaldua worked.

The conspirators intended to use the stolen information to quicken the process of obtaining Federal Aviation Administration certification for another company’s product. However, Basaldua’s theft of the intellectual property was caught, and he has now pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

“Basaldua chose to steal the secrets of a U.S. company rather than commit to putting in the money and hard work that is necessary to succeed, and for that he will pay,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI takes the theft of intellectual property very seriously, and we will not allow anyone to circumvent the system by using deceptive practices to steal protected information.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer G. Solari and Steven H. Lee.

Basaldua’s sentencing is set for a later date, and he could potentially face up to 20 years in prison if he is sentenced to the maximum on both charges. The full extent of the financial penalties he will face is not yet clear.

As the investigation into Basaldua’s activities continues, it remains to be seen whether other individuals will be charged in connection with the trade secrets theft.

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