Summary

Stephen Allan Cate, owner of two aircraft parts/salvage businesses in Johnson City, TN pled guilty in U.S. District Court, Greenville, TN to felony charges that he piloted an aircraft without a license and made false statements on an FAA application. Cate admitted to flying a private twin-engine airplane from Key West, FL to Blountsville, TN on January 7, 2004, when he did not possess a pilot’s license or medical certificate. Subsequent investigation disclosed that Cate also falsified an application for a medical certificate and student pilot’s license. Sentencing is scheduled for November 22, 2004. The investigation was conducted jointly with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and with assistance from the FAA.