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Press Release

Passenger Indicted For Disrupting Transalantic Flight

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
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BOSTON – A Haitian national was indicted yesterday for interfering with flight crew members on a flight from Miami to Paris, which caused the flight to be diverted to Boston.

Edmond Alexandre, 60, a Haitian national residing in Paris, France, was indicted for interference with flight crew members and attendants. On Aug. 27, 2014, approximately two hours after takeoff, Alexandre allegedly began to argue with other passengers over a reclined seat. A flight crew member intervened. In response, Alexandre chased the crew member down the aisle of the plane and grabbed the crew member’s arm. Federal Air Marshals intervened and subdued Alexandre. The captain of the flight diverted the plane to Boston’s Logan International Airport where Alexandre was arrested.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Dwain G. Troutt, Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge of the Transportation Security Administration, Office of Law Enforcement, Federal Air Marshal Service, Boston Field Office; Bob Allison, Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration for the District of Massachusetts; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Timothy P. Allen, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

Updated December 15, 2014