Feds: Man flew air ambulance, KCRA's LiveCopter 3 without proper license -- John Michael Dial accused of piloting in Susanville, Sacramento, San Francisco

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —Federal authorities in Sacramento on Tuesday announced the arrest of a man on charges he provided false information to work as a helicopter pilot for an air ambulance service, and, among other aircraft, on KCRA's LiveCopter 3.

John Michael Dial is also accused of flying without a proper pilot's license, according to a news release issued by the Department of Justice.

Dial also went by the name Thomas R. Cuni, the criminal complaint said. He was arrested in Skaneateles, N.Y., on Monday.

One of the aircraft with which he was involved was LiveCopter 3. Helicopters Inc. -- which owns and operates LiveCopter -- is the company that hired Dial.

The 57-year-old worked as a standby backup pilot, and only held that position very briefly.

Between 2009 and 2012, Dial provided false information to the Federal Aviation Administration and prospective employers, according to court documents. He not only worked for an air ambulance service in Susanville, but as a news helicopter pilot both on LiveCopter and in San Francisco.

Dial has been ordered back to Sacramento to face charges. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the complaint, in April 2012, Dial told law enforcement that he used the name Cuni to avoid apprehension for two outstanding felony warrants from Washington state, the news release said.

In San Francisco alone, Dial flew five helicopters for a total of 265 times, according to the affidavit.

To another outside company, Mountain Life Flight Inc., Dial provided five forms of false identification and certificates to fly.

He kept two wallets -- one for himself and one for "Cuni" -- and previously has used 24 other names, 10 dates of birth and six social security numbers, the affidavit said.

Dial has been convicted in the past for several theft and forgery charges, and multiple misdemeanor convictions dating back to 1977, according to the documents.

Additionally, in 1994, Dial was convicted of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the case.

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