BALTIMORE — A federal jury convicted an Annapolis man on six counts of wire fraud in connection with a private jet charter service scheme that defrauded customers of approximately $15 million.
Patrick Britton-Harr, 43, of Annapolis, owned and operated AeroVanti, Inc., a private air club that offered members access to private jets. He created a limited-time “Top Gun” membership opportunity that required customers to pay $150,000 upfront to help purchase aircraft in exchange for discounted flight hours. Britton-Harr promised to use the funds to buy specific planes and to protect the money by placing aircraft titles in escrow.
Instead, evidence presented at trial showed that Britton-Harr used the money for personal expenses, including the purchase of yachts and jewelry, living costs, and rent on a $10,000-per-month home near Tampa, Florida. He also attempted to conceal the fraud by obtaining a $1.5 million loan for one aircraft while withholding material information from the lender.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland announced the verdict alongside officials from the Justice Department Criminal Division, FBI Baltimore Field Office and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.
“This conviction sends a strong message that if you scam and defraud others, we’re coming after you with the full weight of the law,” Hayes said. “We will always seek justice for victims.”
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said Britton-Harr used his business as a front to induce clients to make payments for services never provided while enriching himself.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said the conviction holds Britton-Harr accountable for lies told to customers. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Greg Thompson said consumers deserve honesty in aviation services.
Britton-Harr faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison per count. A judge will determine the sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other factors.
In a separate case, a federal jury indicted Britton-Harr in May 2025 on multiple counts of health care fraud and one count of money laundering related to a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for respiratory tests. That trial is scheduled for October 2026.
The conviction stems from Britton-Harr’s operation of AeroVanti and its affiliated entities. Top Gun members collectively paid about $15 million for five aircraft that were never purchased as promised.
