Marc Hetsler, Fear Assault, Alaska 2023

A notorious flight incident has come to an end as Marc Hetsler, a 43-year-old Washington man, has been sentenced for putting a flight crew in fear of being assaulted during a commercial airline flight.

According to court documents, Hetsler was a passenger aboard Aleutian Flight SRY 1102 with service from Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Anchorage, Alaska on March 1, 2023. He laid down in the aisle and refused to let flight crew through, sparking a chain of aggressive behavior towards the crewmember.

The situation turned heated as Hetsler became confrontational with an off-duty police officer who stepped in to assist the flight crew. Other passengers then assisted in subduing Hetsler, who was restrained for the remainder of the flight. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) placed Hetsler into federal custody upon the plane landing at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Eight days after his arrest, on March 9, 2023, Hetsler pleaded guilty to an Information charging Fear Assault in the Special Aircraft Jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 46506 and 18 U.S.C. § 113.

Hetsler was sentenced to time served for the eight days he spent in federal custody.

U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker made a statement regarding the case, emphasizing the importance of air travel safety and security. He added that the case serves as a warning to others who may consider committing similar acts in the future.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Taylor and Karen Vandergaw prosecuted the case.

Hetsler’s actions on the flight put everyone’s safety at risk. The consequences of such actions should serve as a reminder to follow rules and regulations designed to keep our skies safe and secure.

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