Washington, D.C. – Emilio Estrada, a 46-year-old Maryland man, was sentenced today by the Honorable Richard J. Leon, U.S. District Court Judge, to 24 months of probation, a fine of $2,500, and 100 hours of community service in connection with his earlier guilty plea to Theft of Government Money for defrauding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of $24,432.08 through a scheme in which he falsely claimed military leave, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor announced today. Prior to the entry of his guilty plea in January 2008, the defendant made full restitution to the FAA.

According to information provided to the Court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Schornstein, beginning in 2000 and continuing until approximately July 2006, Emilio requested military leave from the FAA and was approved for and used military leave on approximately 19 different occasions. Prior to 1991, Estrada had been a member of the D.C. Air National Guard Bureau (DCANG). He separated from the DCANG on December 8, 1991. At the time of his military separation he was a Technical Sergeant. Estrada was not a member of the military at any time thereafter.

Every time Estrada requested and used military leave, he signed and submitted three fraudulent forms: Military Orders; a Request and Authorization for TDY (temporary duty) Travel For DOD (Department of Defense) Personnel; and a Time Attendance Sheet. The cost to the FAA of the military leave wrongly claimed by Estrada was approximately $24,432.28.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Taylor commended the work of Special Agents Bruce Quintero and Brian Smith, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, and the staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Legal Assistant Lisa Robinson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Schornstein, who prosecuted the case.