Florida Man Arrested for Assaulting a Flight Attendant
U.S. Attorney’s Office December 07, 2009 |
JACKSONVILLE, FL—United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces a Criminal Complaint against Darrin John Becker (age 43, of Fleming Island, Florida) for interfering with a flight crew attendant. If convicted of the charges, Becker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, on November 30, 2009, Becker interfered with a flight attendant's ability to carry out her duties while he was a passenger aboard Continental Airlines Flight 3132 from Houston, Texas to Jacksonville, Florida. Becker allegedly charged toward the flight attendant in the direction of the cockpit of the plane. Becker was subdued by other passengers, including an FBI agent traveling on the flight. Federal law makes it a crime to intimidate and assault flight crew and flight attendants on an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States when such actions interfere with the flight crew's performance of its duties.
A Criminal Complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva.