NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to a serious crime that put the lives of flight attendants in danger.
Joel Michael Bane, 39, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to interference with flight crew after intimidating and threatening flight attendants while on Southwest Airlines flight number 208.
The flight, which departed from Chicago, Illinois, with a destination of New Orleans, Louisiana, was disrupted when Bane refused to comply with the captain’s directives to take his seat for landing.
But that was not the end of the ordeal. Bane also assaulted the police officers who escorted him off of the airplane after it landed.
The investigation into this matter was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised their work in a statement.
Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution, which is set to take place in December.
Bane faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. District Judge Milazzo set sentencing for December 13, 2018.
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of respecting the authority of flight crew members and the consequences of disrupting air travel.
Related Federal Cases
- New Jersey Crime Tides 1969 · Alabama
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Live Nation & Ticketmaster Face Antitrust Fight in NY · Washington
- Bankruptcy Bandit: MD Man Gets 90 Months for $1.8M Scam · Washington
- Maryland Man Gets 90 Months for $1.8M Bankruptcy Scam · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime