Albany, New York Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Interfering with Continental Airlines Flight Crew

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that in Midland, Texas, this morning Arthur David Proskin was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for interfering with a flight crew by assault or intimidation.

According to court documents, on the evening of April 24, 2008, Proskin was a passenger on Continental Airlines flight 2116 traveling from Houston, Texas, to Palm Springs, CA. During the flight, Proskin became irate and yelled obscenities at a flight attendant, and subsequently at other passengers, after he was struck in the knee by the attendants beverage service cart. Because of Proskin’s actions, response from other passengers, fear of an escalating situation that could turn physically violent and for the safety of all passengers on board the flight, the pilots diverted to Midland International Airport and made an unscheduled stop. Proskin was removed from the plane and eventually placed in federal custody. No one was physically injured during the incident. After Proskin’s removal, the plane continued to its original destination. Proskin later told authorities he intentionally created such a disturbance on the aircraft because the airline would issue him free travel vouchers when he complained.

In October, 2008, Proskin pleaded guilty to the charge. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Midland Police Department and prosecuted for the government by Assistant United States Attorney John Klassen.