Denver Man Guilty of Interfering with Flight Crew
Denver, CO – In a shocking incident, Joseph Wayne Lynch, II has been found guilty of interfering with flight crew members and attendants on a U.S. Airways Flight 580 from Philadelphia to Denver on August 4th, 2015.
According to evidence submitted during trial, Lynch, who was upgraded to first class due to a missed connection, became increasingly upset when the flight attendant denied him further alcoholic beverages. He then became disruptive and threatening, making inappropriate physical contact with the flight attendant and using profanities directed at flight attendants and passengers.
The flight attendants got an ice hammer, a pot of hot coffee, plastic handcuffs and alerted two able-bodied passengers to assist in the event that Lynch got even further out of hand. When confronted, Lynch responded by repeatedly stating, ‘Let’s go!’ and promised to bring the airline down.
As everyone who flies on airliners knows, a drunk, abusive passenger acting out against other passengers and the flight crew is not merely an inconvenience, but a serious threat to the safety of everyone on the flight, said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.
The defendant faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. Lynch was found guilty this week following a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore. The jury deliberated for approximately 3 hours before reaching their guilty verdict.
Lynch is scheduled to appear next for sentencing, which is scheduled for May 16, 2016. This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Denver Police Department. Lynch was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason St. Julien and Mark Pestal.
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Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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