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Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud After Posing as Commercial Pilot

Dallas Pokornik faces up to 20 years in prison for using a fictitious identification card to obtain hundreds of free flights.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 8:51 a.m. ET
In a developing legal case, 34-year-old Dallas Pokornik of Toronto, Canada, guilty in federal court to wire fraud, according to official records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii released on August 7, 2026. Court documents show that Pokornik, a former flight attendant for a Canadian commercial airline, falsely posed as a commercial airline pilot to secure hundreds of free flights across three U.S.-based airlines between January 2020 and October 28, 2024. Official records state that Pokornik carried out the scheme using a fictitious employee identification card. Following an indictment in October 2025, Pokornik was arrested in Panama and extradited to the United States to face charges in the District of Hawaii. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Pokornik has agreed to pay restitution to the three affected airlines. "Travel security protocols help keep our citizens and visitors safe, and anyone who breaches those protocols should expect to be brought to justice," U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said in official statements. CJ Ammons, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge, noted that the plea followed collaboration between HSI Honolulu, the Department of Justice, and international law enforcement partners. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Nammar is prosecuting the case. Sentencing is set for December 8, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park, where Pokornik faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 12:51current

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