Judge Sentences Georgia Man to Prison for Interfering with an Air Tran Flight Crew

PITTSBURGH, PA—A Georgia man has been sentenced in federal court to eight months’ imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release, on his conviction of violations of federal laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Gustave Diamond imposed the sentence on Marc Anthony Malone, 35.

According to information presented to the court, on October 10, 2012, Malone was onboard Air Tran Flight 120 from Atlanta to Pittsburgh. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, attendants on the flight noticed that he began to act erratically. At one point during the flight, Malone asked a flight crew member, “Where are we?” Upon hearing that the plane was on its way to Pittsburgh, Malone stated, “I need to get off now,” and attempted to get to the front of the aircraft. At that point, one of the flight attendants tried to calm Malone and asked him to sit in his seat, at which point, Malone continued to leave his seat stating, “Why are you mad at me?” Shortly thereafter, Malone attempted to force his way to the front of the plane, when two flight attendants physically stopped him, and Malone yelled “F— you,” over and over. As Malone refused to comply with commands to return to his seat, he attempted to get to the front of the plane by pushing a flight attendant with his hands, knocking the attendant backward. At that time, two flight attendants and five passengers wrestled Malone to the ground to restrain him and place flex cuffs on him. While Malone kicked and attempted to bite those that attempted to restrain him, Malone yelled, “I’m going to get you. When I get out of here, I can’t wait to get a hold of you.” As such, Malone had to be restrained by flight crew members for the duration of the plane’s landing instead of having to attended to their normal duties.

Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Malone.