Army Black Hawk pilot sold LSD for religious purposes
Army 1st Lieutenant Kyle Norton Riester was indicted by a grand jury on allegations of distributing LSD. Riester’s lawyers argued that the former did this for religious purposes. His attorneys also argued that Riester viewed LSD as a sacrament that allowed him to communicate with God. This sacrament was “necessary” for Riester’s spiritual growth. Unfortunately for Riester and his lawyers, the federal judge rejected the argument and allowed the indictment process to continue.
From the Military Times:
Riester’s commanding officer ordered him to cooperate with the federal government shortly after the August 2024 raid on his apartment, Lake said. At that point, he was coerced by law enforcement into gathering information on dark web dealers’ attempts to sell fake oxycodone pills made with fentanyl, Lake claimed.
Riester’s dark web account had credits showing it was used to sell LSD, Lake said, which law enforcement may have felt gave him credibility as he attempted to gather information on fentanyl dealers. Lake said Riester did not participate in sting operations on those dealers but pried for information on their manufacturing and distribution protocols and suppliers.
“This wasn’t something natural with him,” Lake said of Riester’s attempts to contact fentanyl dealers on the dark web on behalf of the government. “Mr. Riester was actually part of dark web forums that were full of spiritual seekers using [psychedelic substances] for religious, spiritual purposes, and trying to do so safely. That’s the community he was part of. All this other [stuff] was forced upon him.”
Lake said Riester cooperated with law enforcement for several months in late 2024 but the operation yielded only “perfunctory information.”
If Riester is convicted of LSD distribution, he could be forced to forfeit property involved in the commission of the alleged crime, including cryptocurrency, a rifle, a shotgun, two pistols, magazines and ammunition, among other penalties, according to the indictment.
Additional Reading:
Losey, S. (2025, April 30). Army pilot claims he distributed LSD for religious reasons. Military Times. Link.
Category: "Teh Stoopid", Crime, Society, Veterans in the news
Two box tops and two dollars.
They really will give a commission to anyone.
Not sure of it was the same guy but the timeline sure fits. Looks like he was doing well until he tried hallucinogens to talk to God.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/armyrotc/48531114102
That certificate will certainly add some good Feng Shui to his prison cell.
I thought LSD was reserved for the Space Force.
Cheaper way to the moon than a rocket
i’M aN aStRoNaUt….
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Jeez, another wasted commission!
Dude was flying without wings or an airship. About to get clipped though.
He didn’t want to try Red Bull?
Red Bull gives you wings. Moonshine gives you balls.
And LSD consumes 47 times it’s weight in excess reality…
Hmm. Redbull moonshine boiler makers? I see a happy hour marketing idea.
Timothy Leary smiles.
A dealer and a user.
What a fucking loser.
This pilot missed the 1960’s, LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS, (LSD) 1967
Tomorrow Never Knows from Revolver album 1966. So spacey & psychedelic. Lennon admitted his experience w/ LSD mostly inspired the tune.
If he gets jail time, Riester will probably get it in the Kiester.
Flyin’ high in the friendly sky without ever leaving the ground…
The lieutenant will now get a chance to get in touch with his inner self, oh no, Bubba his prison mate’s gonna do that!😂
His preflight inspections consisted of his Crew Chief brushing the spiders off of him.
Does All Points Logistics have a corporate helicopter?
After the “broken fuel gauge incident” in Bonita Springs they started to shy away from flying contraptions.
I wonder what god said to him on his LSD fueled trips? He should have plenty of time to write a manuscript and enlighten us now, except for interruptions from his cell mate doing a little inner soul poking.
Take a trip and never leave the couch.
I don’t know the cost of LSD, but it’s got to be cheaper than a real plane ticket.
And I d rather buy a ticket and fly in a plane.
( my voice dictation is really screwing up my messaging today, only half the messages are printing correctly). Must be Russian interference!
Would you rather ride on a Spirit Airlines flight to Florida during spring break or be Daniel Bernath’s copilot? Either way, your flight is going to make the evening news.
No Thanks to either choice. I would drive a nice car and avoid all the flair! Maybe get some grub at Buc-ee’s on the way.
And you don’t need a Real ID.
Now that’s a good point!
Just like all the uninvited Immigrants.
https://www.zoomiescanada.ca/shrooms-delivery/lsd/
More than the $5 blotters in the old days…..or so I’ve heard.
Found video of his commissioning.
Still one of the best popo shows
Mybe je was simply selling LSD and “Religious Purposes” was his Barracks Lawer defense? Just a thought.
Communicating with god by way of LSD can often lead to permanent communion via walking off cliffs or in front of semis. Not wild about someone like this holding anything deadlier than a wet noodle.
Definitely should.not be flying helos.
I remember those days….some of them.
Talking to goats?
Just staring. I actually knew a retired LTC who was part of that programme … psychologist. His wife was a wolf-lover. I think he got in trouble for underaged “rituals”. He was a Satanist.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Angelo_Aquino
Check out his eyebrows!!! That’s how he looked when I knew him.
And I knew him only due to his interest in heraldry and his attempt to be invested into a British Order of Chivlary (I alerted HQ as to his “religious” views and he was not accepted).
OOOhhhhh! I didn’t know that!!! Probably because he was denied entry???? (^__^)
This Aquino sounded like a real weirdo. Killing himself is the best thing he ever did!
How come freakjobs get to do all the high-speed sh*t? There are innovative, talented mo’f*ckers who aren’t pedos, etc. going to waste out there.
I’ve seen out of regulation mustaches before, but that’s the first out of regulation eyebrow I’ve ever seen.
Not to mention the George Clooney film adaptation: