Man Sentenced After Intimidating Spirit Airlines Flight Attendants

Michael Anthony Minko, 36, of White Springs, Florida, was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of two months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to two counts of intimidating a flight attendant of an aircraft in flight in the United States.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

On July 18, 2017, Minko intimidated two Spirit Airlines flight attendants on a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Fort Lauderdale, and interfered with the performance of their duties.  Specifically, after the flight departed, the defendant drank an excessive amount of whiskey from a bottle in his possession and consumed prescription alprazolam (generic form of Xanax).  During the course of the flight, Minko cursed, used abusive language, made verbal threats and exhibited threatening actions.  As a result, a flight attendant and three passengers used plastic flex cuffs to secure Minko’s hands behind his back.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered Minko to report on Friday, February 23, 2018, to commence his term of imprisonment at that time, thereby allowing the defendant to continue his treatment at an alcohol and drug treatment facility. 

Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI in connection with this matter.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Shockley.

Michael Anthony Minko, 36, of White Springs, Florida, was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of two months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to two counts of intimidating a flight attendant of an aircraft in flight in the United States.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

On July 18, 2017, Minko intimidated two Spirit Airlines flight attendants on a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Fort Lauderdale, and interfered with the performance of their duties.  Specifically, after the flight departed, the defendant drank an excessive amount of whiskey from a bottle in his possession and consumed prescription alprazolam (generic form of Xanax).  During the course of the flight, Minko cursed, used abusive language, made verbal threats and exhibited threatening actions.  As a result, a flight attendant and three passengers used plastic flex cuffs to secure Minko’s hands behind his back.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered Minko to report on Friday, February 23, 2018, to commence his term of imprisonment at that time, thereby allowing the defendant to continue his treatment at an alcohol and drug treatment facility. 

Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI in connection with this matter.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Shockley.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.