A Torrance airplane broker pleaded guilty in San Diego Tuesday to federal money laundering charges, admitting that he helped hide the true origin of drug money through the purchase of Cessnas for drug traffickers.
Hector Hernandez, 48, the owner of Pacific Coast Aero, admitted that he facilitated the purchase of airplanes and plane parts for exportation and de- registration to Mexico on behalf of third parties.
Hernandez also admitted that he arranged for delivery of substantial bulk cash to co-defendant Vicente Contreras-Amezquita, whose trial is set for April 25, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Walker Hobson.
According to an indictment, Contreras-Amezquita used 46 bank accounts at multiple U.S. financial institutions and made structured cash deposits in excess of $3 million for the purchase of more than 35 airplanes.
As part of the scheme, Hernandez admitted that he facilitated the purchase of seven aircraft, the prosecutor said.
Hernandez believed that the proceeds or bulk cash were in part from drug trafficking activities and that the planes would be used for drug trafficking activities in Mexico, even though he was not personally involved in those activities, according to court papers.
According to the indictment, Contreras-Amezquita and others facilitated the acquisition and purchase of the Cessnas and airplane parts, including auxiliary fuel tanks, heavy-duty tires and landing gear for landing on clandestine airfields.
Cessna 206s and 210s are preferred by drug traffickers operating in Mexico because of their reliability, speed and ability to carry heavy payloads over long distances.
Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced June 5 by U.S. District Judge Michael Anello.
–City News Service
