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A 33-year-old former flight attendant from Toronto, was arrested in Panama after allegedly posing as a commercial pilot and a current flight attendant to secure hundreds of free flights from U.S. airlines. U.S. authorities charged Dallas Pokornik with wire fraud in a federal court in Hawaii last October. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday (January 20) following his extradition to the United States.
The indictment accuses Pokornik of using his previous experience in the airline industry to deceive airlines into granting him complimentary flights. His actions reportedly spanned several years and involved multiple airlines.
Pokornik's arrest in Panama and subsequent extradition highlight the international scope of the investigation. The case is being prosecuted in Hawaii, where some of the fraudulent activities allegedly took place.
As the legal proceedings continue, Pokornik remains in custody.