TULSA, Okla.—A Vancouver man was sentenced for his actions that caused a Delta flight to divert in Oklahoma.
Bolutife Olusegun Olorunda, 29, of Vancouver, Washington, was sentenced to three months of probation for Assault Within Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction.
On May 30, 2018, while on Delta Air Lines flight 1156, en route from Portland, Oregon, to Atlanta, Georgia, Olorunda verbally assaulted and interfered with a flight attendant on the aircraft.
Due to his threatening behavior, the pilot and Captain of the aircraft declared an “emergency” and diverted the aircraft to Tulsa International Airport for an emergency landing.
“Airline passengers must follow the lawful directions of flight crew members. As this case shows, there are serious consequences when one does not abide by the rules of the flight. There are no exceptions. This defendant’s actions caused a flight to be diverted to Tulsa. Diverted flights are costly to the airlines and extremely inconvenient to other travelers,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
“More importantly, defiant and belligerent behavior potentially places lives at risk. The crew and Federal Air Marshals are to be applauded for swiftly handling the situation and ensuring the safety of those aboard Delta flight 1156.”
Olorunda will also pay restitution to Delta Air Lines in the amount of $9,118 for the cost of diverting the flight for an emergency landing. Additionally, Olorunda will face a civil penalty, which includes significant fines from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration.
Olorunda faced a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine, and one year supervised release. He was sentenced today in United States Magistrate Court by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jodi F. Jayne.
The case was investigated by agents with the Transportation Safety Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Tulsa Airport Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley handled the prosecution of this case.
Defendant: Bolutife Olusegun Olorunda
Criminal Charges: Assault Within Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction
City and State: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Exact Date: N/A (crime date)
Sentence: Three months of probation
Dollar Amounts: $9,118 in restitution, $5,000 fine
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: [‘Violent Crime’]
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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