William Potts, Air Piracy, Florida 1984

MIAMI, FL – In a shocking turn of events, William Potts, 57, a/k/a William Freeman, a/k/a Lieutenant Spartacus, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a 1984 hijacking case.

According to court documents, on May 1, 2014, Potts plead guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of kidnapping, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(3) (1984).

The case dates back to 1985, when Potts was originally indicted in the Southern District of Florida with one count of air piracy, in violation of Title 49, United States Code, Section 1472(i) (1984). On that fateful day, Potts threatened to blow up a Piedmont Airlines passenger aircraft and shoot passengers if it landed in Miami. The pilot, fearing for the safety of the passengers, diverted the plane to Havana, Cuba, where Potts was subsequently boarded and escorted off the plane by Cuban authorities.

Potts was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison in Cuba, serving approximately 13 years before being released. However, it wasn’t until November 6, 2013, that Potts returned to Miami, where he was subsequently charged and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, praised the investigative efforts of the FBI, who worked tirelessly to bring Potts to justice. Ferrer also thanked the Diplomatic Security Service, the Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration for their assistance in the case.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severity of air piracy and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. Potts’s 20-year sentence is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and the justice system.

Now, with Potts behind bars, the people of Miami can rest a little easier knowing that justice has been served.

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