A San Diego man has admitted to federal charges after repeatedly trespassing onto a Navy installation by plane and stealing a government vehicle, an unusual case that left the military with hundreds of hours of cleanup work and heavy repair costs.
The Incidents
Prosecutors say Andrew Kyle White, 37, first touched down his homemade Glastar aircraft on San Clemente Island, a Navy-controlled base off Southern California, in October 2023. After being caught, he was formally warned in writing that entering the restricted facility again would be a federal crime.
Despite the warning, White returned in April 2025 and landed his plane a second time. During that trip, he stole a Navy-issued Ford F-150 pickup, drove through locked gates, and eventually got the truck stuck on rugged terrain, damaging the vehicle and base property.
The Fallout
According to court filings, the unauthorized landings and theft caused nearly 500 hours of additional work for Navy personnel and roughly half a million dollars in losses. White was initially granted bond but later taken into custody after removing his ankle monitor.
The Legal Outcome
White pleaded guilty to theft of government property and illegal entry onto a military installation. Each charge carries significant penalties: up to 10 years in prison for theft and six months for trespassing. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2025.
