LODI, Calif. — A San Joaquin County skydiver was sentenced to prison for wire fraud related to running unauthorized tandem skydiving instructor courses.
The investigation began when two people fell to their deaths during a tandem dive in 2016, including 18-year-old Tyler Turner.
Turner fell to his death in tandem jump with his instructor, Young Kwon, when they had issues with their parachute. They jumped under supervision of instructor Robert Allen Pooley, whose credentials were suspended at the time.
Eight years later, Pooley was convicted of wire fraud and sentenced to two years in federal prison for running the unauthorized courses.
For Francine Turner, the conviction and sentencing of Pooley brought closure.
"We had looked for closure and accountability for so long, and this was finally that day. We finally were able to feel that something had finally been done, for justice for our son," she said.
Court documents show that Pooley was not allowed to teach tandem instructor courses at the time after his examiner ratings were revoked by the U.S. Parachute Association. However, he falsely told students he was certified.
At sentencing, the judge included a sentencing enhancement for conscious or reckless risk of death or serious bodily injury.
As for Turner, she's remembering her son for the young man he was.
"He had an impact on so many lives. He was there for all his friends. He did not have an enemy to speak of," she said.
ABC10 previously reported that 140 tandem instructors from Pooley's classes had to retake classes. ABC10 reached out to the Skydive Lodi Parachute Center about Pooley's conviction and sentencing, but they said they had no comment.
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