United States Attorney Amanda Marshall said,
“This is a particularly important case.
Submitting false information about helicopter
payload capabilities in the bid process both
defrauded the Forest Service and created a
reckless risk of harm to those who used the
information in firefighting operations.
This includes those who were relying on the
false information when a Carson
helicopter crashed near Weaverville, California
on August 5, 2008, killing nine and seriously
injuring four others.” According to
the plea agreement in this case, the U.S.
Attorney’s Office will be seeking an enhancement
to defendant’s sentence based on the offense
involving the reckless risk of death or serious
bodily injury.
The maximum sentence for the Conspiracy is 20
years in prison and Making False Statements is
five years in prison with fines up to $250,000
for each offense. Sentencing is set for March 2,
2015, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Court
Judge Owen M. Panner. Levi
Phillips, former Carson Helicopter Director of
Maintenance, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit
Mail and Wire Fraud previously and his
sentencing is currently scheduled for February
2, 2015.
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