High in The Sky on Meth: Man Arrested for Flying Stolen Plane Across the U.S.

Christian Estoque, a 38-year-old man from Pomona, California, is facing federal charges for allegedly stealing a single-engine aircraft from Auburn Municipal Airport in Washington state on January 3, 2026, and flying it over 1,000 miles to Corona Municipal Airport in Southern California.

Investigators say he operated the plane—believed to be a Van’s RV-12iS—without a pilot’s license and while under the influence of methamphetamine, admitting to being high during the flight. To avoid detection, he reportedly disabled the aircraft’s transponder, though the plane was spotted in Kelso, Washington, on January 4.

Investigators say Estoque is not a registered pilot and was not authorized to fly either aircraft. The complaint says that he admitted to being under the influence of meth while operating at least one of the planes.

Federal agents arrested Estoque on January 27, 2026, after surveillance revealed him attempting to steal a second unregistered aircraft at Corona Municipal Airport. He has been released on bond and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. The FBI’s LAX Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation, which involved multiple local, state, and federal agencies.