David Patrick Diaz, Interference with Flight Crew, New York 2015

DAVID PATRICK DIAZ, 36, ADMITS TO SHOUTING THREATENING STATEMENTS ON FEBRUARY 2015 FLIGHT.

David Patrick Diaz, a 36-year-old man from Poughkeepsie, New York, pleaded guilty to the charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants in federal court yesterday.

The incident occurred on a United Airlines flight shortly after it took off from Dulles International Airport in March 2015. Diaz allegedly charged the cockpit of the plane and shouted threatening statements.

According to reports, Diaz was tackled by a group of passengers and restrained until the plane returned safely to Dulles. While being subdued, Diaz allegedly said the word "Jihad" and claimed there was something in the belly of the plane.

Diaz was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, 2015, and is facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 1, 2016.

U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea in the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler McGaughey and Jonathan Fahey. The investigation was led by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of airline security and the vigilance of passengers and crew members in preventing such incidents.

A copy of the indictment and related court documents can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The case number is 1:15-cr-324.

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