Marian Beck, Attempted Interference with Seaplane Navigation, Alaska 2023

A Homer woman is facing serious federal charges after a harrowing incident involving a seaplane and her vessel in Alaska waters.

According to court documents, Marian Beck, 68, operated her vessel in a reckless manner as she made several close passing maneuvers in front of a seaplane full of passengers while it was taxiing out of the waterway.

Beck, a licensed mariner who commercially operates in Halibut Cove and the surrounding area, is charged with attempted interference with the navigation of a seaplane and negligent operations of a vessel.

The incident reportedly occurred in February 2023, and Beck was arraigned on February 3, 2023, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew S. Scoble.

Beck faces a maximum of 21 years in prison if convicted. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Gavelek prosecuting the case.

U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/halibut-cove-woman-indicted-federal-charges-0