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Investigations

Date

Florida Man Sentenced for Operating an Aircraft Without a License

On May 16, 2018, Mark Lewis Pullen, Green Cove Springs, Florida, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Pensacola, Florida, for operating an aircraft without a valid airman’s certificate. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked Pullen’s pilot and medical certificates in July 2012 after he failed to disclose an alcohol-related driving offense on his application. However, Pullen continued to pilot his plane until October 13, 2015, when FAA identified his unregistered Cessna Cardinal flying from Houston, Texas, to Pensacola, Florida. When the aircraft landed, Pullen was identified as the pilot. He later admitted to piloting the aircraft numerous times after FAA revoked his certificates.

Pullen was sentenced to 1 year of probation, $11,500 in fines, and a $100 court fee. 

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with DHS-HSI, with technical assistance from FAA.