ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Robert Tomblin, a 55-year-old man from Phoenix, Ariz., has pleaded guilty to intimidating flight crew members and flight attendants, causing an emergency landing in New Mexico.
According to court documents, on August 21, 2017, a flight from Roswell, N.M., to Phoenix, Ariz., was diverted to the Albuquerque airport due to Tomblin’s belligerent behavior towards the flight crew.
Tomblin was subsequently indicted on September 6, 2017, and charged with interference and intimidating flight crew members and flight attendants by refusing to comply with necessary safety requirements on August 21, 2017. During today’s proceedings, Tomblin pleaded guilty to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement.
Tomblin was arrested on August 21, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting and intimidating flight crew members and flight attendants while on an aircraft.
According to court documents, approximately five minutes after takeoff, the airline captain was informed by a flight attendant that Tomblin, who was seated in an emergency exit row, appeared to be intoxicated, was acting belligerent and intimidating the flight crew.
Tomblin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is prosecuting the case.
Tomblin, a resident of Phoenix, Ariz., has pleaded guilty to interfering and intimidating flight crew members and flight attendants, resulting in an emergency landing in New Mexico.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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