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Press Release

Middleburg Man Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements To The FAA And Illegally Piloting An Aircraft

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Reginald Wayne Sibley, Jr. (39, Middleburg) today pleaded guilty to making false statements and representations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and illegally piloting an aircraft in air transportation.  Sibley faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, Sibley was certified by the FAA to serve as a pilot in command of Lear Jet aircraft only.  As part of the FAA certification process, Sibley was required to undergo annual medical examinations to determine his medical fitness as a pilot.  On June 1, 2009, Sibley stated on his FAA airmen medical certificate application form that he did not have a criminal history, when in fact, he had at least three criminal convictions.  An investigation also revealed that, on October 8, 2009, Sibley was the pilot in command of a Gulfstream aircraft that departed from the Orlando Executive Airport and landed at an airport in California. After landing, Sibley claimed, to an FAA representative, that he was “rated” to fly the Gulfstream aircraft that he was piloting. The FAA informed Sibley that it had no record of his “rating” for this kind of aircraft and recommended that Sibley not continue to fly the aircraft to his next destination.  Sibley disregarded the FAA and proceeded to board passengers onto the aircraft and fly to another location, in California. The investigation confirmed that Sibley was not authorized or “rated” to fly the Gulfstream aircraft, which he operated on October 8, 2013. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

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Updated January 26, 2015