A man from Pomona, California, has been arrested and charged with operating an unregistered aircraft at municipal airports in Washington state and California, following an investigation by the FBI.
Christian Estoque, 38, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Estoque is not a registered pilot and was not listed on the registration for the planes he was caught flying, according to investigators.
The FBI's investigation began when a single-engine aircraft was reported stolen on Jan. 3 at Auburn Municipal Airport in Washington state.
Almost a week after crash landing into Seattle’s Elliott Bay, pilot Brendan Ross flew from Auburn to Seattle and back on May 23, 2023. (KOMO News)
The aircraft was recovered on Jan. 6 at Corona Municipal Airport in California, according to the FBI.
Authorities discovered that the plane's transponder had been manipulated to conceal its whereabouts for over three days.
However, the aircraft was spotted at another airport in Kelso, Washington, on Jan. 4, where a couple driving a rented vehicle was suspected of having flown in the plane.
The couple was subsequently linked to a second suspected aircraft theft on Jan. 27 at Corona Municipal Airport.
This involved a plane that had not been registered since 2017.
FBI agents conducting surveillance observed Estoque entering the aircraft and powering on its engine.
Agents concluded that Estoque was attempting to steal the plane and arrested him.
According to the complaint, Estoque admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine while operating the aircraft.
Estoque made an initial appearance before a federal magistrate on Thursday, Jan. 29, and was released on bond.
InvisibleEar on February 1st, 2026 at 16:06 UTC »
It happens sometimes
Glittering_Map_4503 on February 1st, 2026 at 14:57 UTC »
Meh at this point idgaf anymore I feel pretty numb to headlines I wouldn’t be surprised if this man pays trump to get off the charges then he can run for congress
SinclairSniffer on February 1st, 2026 at 13:16 UTC »
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