A Toronto ex-flight attendant has admitted guilt in a U.S. federal court for engaging in a scam resembling the plot of the 2002 movie “Catch Me If You Can” by Steven Spielberg. Dallas Pokornik utilized counterfeit identification to impersonate a pilot and secure numerous complimentary flights on various airlines from January 2020 to October 2024, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Hawaii.
Online records reviewed by CBC News revealed that the 34-year-old Pokornik frequently showcased his worldwide excursions. His social media account showcased images and videos from several destinations like London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Phuket, Thailand. One caption from a selfie video in December 2023 displayed Pokornik maneuvering a carry-on suitcase at London’s Heathrow Airport, mentioning his friends’ life milestones.
Following his arrest in Panama and subsequent extradition to the U.S. in January, Pokornik admitted to wire fraud in a Honolulu U.S. district court. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000 US. Additionally, Pokornik agreed to compensate three undisclosed U.S.-based airlines, with one situated in Hawaii, for their losses.
CJ Ammons, the acting special agent in charge of the U.S. Homeland Security investigations office in Honolulu, emphasized that Pokornik exploited travel security measures for personal gain and must now confront the repercussions of his actions. Pokornik’s illicit activities were uncovered when an employee from a U.S. airline captured a photo of his forged identification, leading to his former employer’s verification of its falsity due to an incorrect expiration date.
Experts in aviation, like former pilot Dan Bubb and aviation management lecturer John Gradek, expressed surprise at Pokornik’s deceptive acts within the industry. The case, drawing comparisons to “Catch Me If You Can,” involved Pokornik falsely claiming association with a Toronto-based airline, ultimately leading to his exposure and legal troubles.
While awaiting his sentencing scheduled for December 8, Pokornik remains free under certain conditions, with U.S. authorities confiscating his Canadian passport in January. His case differs from “Project Icarus,” a Peel Regional Police-led investigation that recently led to the arrest of an ex-Air Canada pilot for operating flights for nearly 17 years without the required license.