United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

JURY CONVICTS FORMER BRIDGEPORT MAN FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that a federal jury sitting in Hartford found AARON J. CELIS II, age 34, of 3604 Beyer Boulevard, Apt. 33-102, San Ysidro, California, formerly of Bridgeport, Connecticut, guilty of knowingly and willfully making a false statement to Sikorsky Aircraft officials in connection with obtaining employment at the Sikorsky Aircraft facility in Stratford. The jury returned its verdict late Monday afternoon after deliberating for one hour. The trial lasted one day.

On May 22, 2003, a federal grand jury returned a one count Indictment against CELIS, charging him with lying on a document required to gain access to the Sikorsky facility. The document asked CELIS whether he had ever been arrested, charged or held in connection with any local, state or federal offense. CELIS answered the question "N/A," meaning "not applicable." In fact, CELIS had been convicted of grand theft auto in California in 1988 and importation of over 160 pounds of marijuana in 1992, both of which are felony convictions. As a result of the drug importation conviction, CELIS was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison.

CELIS' indictment and conviction was the result of a multi-agency investigation into employees of subcontractors working at Sikorsky who were charged with submitting applications for security access badges that contained false statements or that were based on fraudulent immigration or social security documents. A total of 20 people were arrested and charged with federal offenses arising out of this investigation. CELIS was the only individual who chose to take his case to trial. Sikorsky is a top 100 U.S. Department of Defense contractor that manufactures and develops helicopters for the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and certain foreign military organizations. Sikorsky is a secure facility containing restricted and sensitive technologies, trade secrets, and government property.

"We are pleased with the jury's verdict," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "The false statement made by the defendant allowed him to clear his background investigation at Sikorsky. It is vital that the security of our defense infrastructure is not jeopardized by individuals who may gain access through fraudulent means."

CELIS faces up to five years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on July 15, 2004.

This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Office of Inspector General, a branch of the Department of Defense, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James K. Filan, Jr.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov