Ventura Man Indicted for Selling Fraudulent Aircraft Parts

News Summary

Jared Michael Swensen, 48, of Ventura, faces serious charges after a federal grand jury indictment for selling fraudulent aircraft parts through his business, Light Helicopter Depot. Accusations include misrepresenting end-of-life aircraft components as new, leading to potential fines and significant prison time if found guilty. Investigations by federal authorities reveal extensive misrepresentation of part conditions, raising safety concerns within the aviation industry.

California

A 48-year-old man from Ventura has been arrested following a 10-count federal grand jury indictment that accuses him of fraudulently selling end-of-life aircraft parts. Jared Michael Swensen, who operated Light Helicopter Depot out of Oxnard Airport, faces serious charges stemming from his alleged misconduct over a three-year period, stretching from April 2020 to August 2023.

The indictment outlines that Swensen and the Light Helicopter Depot engaged in the fraudulent repair and sale of critical aircraft parts, misrepresenting them as new when they were nearing the end of their service life. The charges brought against him include two counts of wire fraud and eight counts related to fraud involving aircraft parts.

If found guilty, Swensen could face a maximum of 20 years for each count of wire fraud and 15 years for each count of aircraft parts fraud. The potential repercussions are severe, as Light Helicopter Depot could incur fines of up to $10 million for each fraud count concerning aircraft parts and up to $1 million for each count of wire fraud.

Allegations of Misrepresentation

According to federal prosecutors, Swensen took extensive measures to mislead his customers. This included falsifying entries in maintenance logbooks and altering essential sales documents such as packing slips to misrepresent the age and condition of various aircraft parts. Notably, critical components like main rotor blades, which Swensen claimed had significantly fewer service hours than they actually did, are under scrutiny. One specific accusation states that he claimed these blades had only 215.2 service hours logged, while the reality was at least 2,108 hours. Another part, a clutch actuator, was falsely represented as having zero hours in use when it actually had a minimum of 1,240 hours.

The legal representatives for the prosecution have emphasized that the equipment failures arising from such fraudulent practices could lead to catastrophic incidents, potentially resulting in helicopter crashes. Swensen’s company notably charged maintenance fees that included bills to customers ranging from $13,000 to $23,700.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The allegations against Swensen have drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, which conducted an investigation into these fraudulent activities with the help of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Following the indictments, Swensen’s case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Mitchell and Danbee Kim from the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section.

Background on Light Helicopter Depot

Light Helicopter Depot, operated by Swensen, marketed its services as being certified by the FAA, claiming to have inspection authorization that would assure clients of the safety and reliability of the aircraft parts they purchased. However, the ongoing investigations have painted a different picture, raising concerns about the integrity and safety of parts sold through the business. The indictment represents a significant legal hurdle for Swensen and underscores the broader implications of fraud within the aviation industry, where the safety of countless individuals can be put at risk by the actions of one individual.

The outcome of the indictment could have significant repercussions not only for Swensen but also for the operations of Light Helicopter Depot, as federal prosecutors prepare to present their case. The pursuit of justice in cases of aviation fraud continues to be a priority for federal authorities, given the serious threats posed to public safety.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• VC Star: Jared Michael Swensen Indicted
• KTLA: Ventura County Helicopter Mechanic Used Old Parts
• Independent: Ventura Man Arrested for Fraudulent Representations
• CBS News: Ventura Man Arrested in Scheme
• Wikipedia: Aviation Safety