Prosecutors allege two officers and a former federal aviation inspector used false checkride records to obtain pilot certifications.
OAKLAND, CA — Two Oakland Police Department helicopter pilots have been indicted on federal charges accusing them of conspiring with a Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector to obtain pilot certifications through fraudulent flight-test records, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court.
Officers Brandon Mart and David Mac, members of the Police Department’s Air Support Unit, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Thursday in federal court in Oakland. A third defendant, William Miller, who was an FAA aviation safety inspector, also pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege the three men took part in a scheme involving FAA-required “checkrides” between about July 2023 and March 2024. The indictment alleges false documents were submitted for at least four checkrides, resulting in three certifications for Mart and one for Mac that prosecutors say were obtained fraudulently.
A checkride is a practical examination used by the FAA when a pilot seeks certain certificates or ratings. It generally includes an oral examination and a flight test in which an applicant must demonstrate required maneuvers and show knowledge of aircraft systems, aviation rules, weather and emergency procedures. Miller was authorized to conduct such tests, according to the indictment. Prosecutors allege that authority allowed him to help create or approve records showing tests had been completed when required parts of the examinations had not occurred.
In one instance described by prosecutors, records stated that Mart completed a checkride in California with Miller. Investigators allege a digital time stamp showed Miller was instead in Lakeland, Florida, at the time. In another case, prosecutors allege Miller issued Mart a temporary helicopter airman certificate even though Mart had not completed all maneuvers required during the flight test. Miller later sent the temporary certificate to Mart from his FAA email account, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors also allege the defendants communicated about documents connected with the certifications. The indictment describes messages between Mart and Miller about preparing materials for an FAA application. Federal investigators contend those communications and the certification records were part of a broader effort to make it appear that required testing had been completed. The allegations have not been proven in court, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
Mart faces one count of conspiracy to defraud the FAA, three counts of FAA registration fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice through falsification of records. The obstruction charges carry a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison if he is convicted. Mac faces one conspiracy count and one count of FAA registration fraud. Miller faces the conspiracy charge and four counts of FAA registration fraud. Potential sentences would be determined by a judge if any defendant is convicted and can differ from the statutory maximums.
Oakland Police Chief James Beere said the department learned of the federal charges Thursday and placed Mart and Mac on administrative leave while the case proceeds. Beere said the department is cooperating with outside law enforcement agencies. “We take these allegations seriously,” he said. The department said it could not provide further information because the case also involves an ongoing personnel matter.
The charges come as the Oakland Police Department approaches another major point in its long-running federal oversight case. The department has been under court supervision for more than two decades following misconduct allegations connected to the Oakland Riders scandal. A federal judge said earlier this year that Oakland had made substantial progress toward meeting court-ordered reforms, with another hearing scheduled for Sept. 29 to review compliance and the possible end of federal oversight. The aviation case is separate from that proceeding.
Published reports differ on the exact amount of the defendants’ release bonds, but court coverage agrees that all three defendants were released from custody following their arraignments. They were ordered to return to federal court Nov. 30 for a status conference. Mart and Mac remain on administrative leave as the federal criminal case moves forward.
Author note: Last updated September 12, 2026.