Former drone show operator indicted for fraud and identity theft

On September 2, 2020, former drone show operator David J. Oneal was indicted by a grand jury in the Western District of Texas for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Former drone show operator indicted for fraud and identity theft

According to the indictment, Oneal, owner of Wildly Creative Marketing, agreed to perform a drone show at SeaWorld, San Antonio, Texas. He allegedly provided SeaWorld with falsified and/or fraudulently used documents, including certificates of registration for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems he proposed to use, pictures of certificates belonging to two pilots he claimed to have employed, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver required to conduct the show. Upon receipt of the documents, SeaWorld sent Oneal two separate payments, which were deposited into a bank account that he controlled, but he did not appear or perform the drone show.

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the U.S. Secret Service.

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: the Office of Acting Inspector General Howard R. Elliott:

Hat tip to sUAS News.

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Photo courtesy of sUAS News