United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

FORMER BRIDGEPORT MAN SENTENCED FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AARON J. CELIS II, age 34, of 3604 Beyer Boulevard, Apt. 33-102, San Ysidro, California, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to two years of probation, the first three months of which must be served in home confinement. On April 19, 2004, a Hartford jury found CELIS 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.

In May 2003, CELIS was charged in a one-count Indictment that charged him with lying on a document required to gain access to the Sikorsky Aircraft 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's indictment and conviction was the result of a multi-agency investigation into employees of subcontractors working at Sikorsky Aircraft who were charged with submitting applications for security access badges containing false statements or 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.

This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Office of Inspector General, a branch of the Department of Defense. The case 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