A pilot from Oklahoma City, Aiman Sobhy Elkhatib, has admitted to transporting a firearm across state lines while under indictment. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Elkhatib, aged 31, faced charges following a federal Grand Jury's decision on June 17, 2024. The Superseding Indictment accused him of transporting a firearm while under indictment and bringing in certain aliens. Public records reveal that on April 25, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were alerted about an aircraft entering the United States from Mexico without undergoing customs inspection. The aircraft was found at Sundance Airport in Yukon, Oklahoma with Elkhatib and another person onboard. During the search of the aircraft, agents discovered and confiscated a firearm.
At the time of this incident, Elkhatib had been criminally indicted in Oklahoma County District Court for larceny of an automobile, second-degree burglary, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony as part of case number CF-2023-940.
In court yesterday, Elkhatib confessed to Count 1 of the Superseding Indictment and acknowledged flying from Mexico through Texas to Yukon, Oklahoma with knowledge that there was a firearm on board.
He now faces up to five years in federal prison and could be fined up to $250,000 upon sentencing.
The investigation into this case involved multiple agencies including HSI, Customs and Border Protection, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Air and Marine Operations Center. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is handling prosecution duties for this case.
Further details can be obtained from public filings related to this matter.