Feds: Man landed helicopter at SAS to impress woman

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Numbers ordered that Christian Gerald Desgroux, 57, remain in jail until his trial.

Desgroux chartered a helicopter out of Charlotte on Nov. 6 and flew into SAS' campus, landing on soccer fields there, Department of Homeland Security agent Tony Bell testified during a court hearing.

Desgroux exited the helicopter in the uniform of a three-star general and told security officers that he had clearance from the White House to land at SAS so he could pick up a female employee and fly her to Fort Bragg for a classified briefing, Bell testified.

The woman told authorities that she expected Desgroux to pick her up to go see an attorney and knew nothing about any classified briefing.

The helicopter pilot flew Desgroux and the woman around for 30 minutes before again landing at SAS so the woman could return to work, Bell said.

Officials with the charter helicopter company told authorities that Desgroux had also hired them to fly him to Jacksonville to impress another woman, Bell said.

Federal agents interviewed Desgroux a week after the incident. He denied making any statements to SAS security about a classified briefing, but he did admit to having a full Army uniform.

Numbers said Desgroux’s recent run-ins with state authorities were escalating and a concern. He has several pending protection order violations and stalking charges involving three different women.

Desgroux, who works as a mechanic out of his home, told federal probation officials prior to the hearing that he owns eight vehicles, a yacht and an airplane.

"I have my doubts about the truth of those declarations," Numbers said, but added that such statements make him a flight risk.

The judge also noted that Desgroux is a flight risk because he is a native of Chile, although he has lived in the U.S. since the 1970s and is now a citizen.

Questions were raised in the hearing about Desgroux's mental state, but no formal evaluation was ordered.

If convicted of impersonating an Army officer, Desgroux could face up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.