Dallas County Man Charged in Federal Complaint with Unlawfully Entering Restricted Area of Dallas Love Field Airport

DALLAS—Ruben Jimenez Martinez, 36, of Garland, Texas, appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez on a federal criminal complaint stemming from his unauthorized entrance into a restricted area of Dallas Love Field Airport on Sunday evening, April 28, 2013. He was ordered detained. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

Specifically, the felony complaint charges Jimenez with entering aircraft or an airport area in violation of security requirements. The offense as charged, upon conviction, carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the complaint filed, Jimenez, driving a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, pulled onto the Dallas Love Field Airport property where private aircrafts are housed. Jimenez approached the gate of a general aviation aircraft business and began pressing buttons on the gate’s access pad. While an employee opened the gate to engage Jimenez through the vehicle’s window, another employee parked his company SUV on the air operations side of the gate to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the restricted area. As that employee began to open the door of his vehicle, Jimenez evaded the vehicle and maneuvered around it at a high rate of speed.

Jimenez proceeded onto and down Taxiway Alpha at speeds estimated to be in excess of 100 miles per hour. The business’ employees were unable to catch up with Jimenez and requested assistance. Jimenez’s Tahoe was ultimately located at Associated Air Hanger 3. Jimenez walked through the hanger and, when officers with the Dallas Police Department arrived and cuffed him, he attempted to break free and additional officers arrived to assist in restraining him. Jimenez was arrested and agreed to speak to law enforcement. He advised that he believed God had directed him to Dallas Love Field and, that while he was in the hanger, he yelled “in the name of Jesus” three times.

A federal criminal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. The U.S. Attorney’s office has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

The matter is being investigated by the FBI, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Dallas Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Errin Martin is in charge of the prosecution.