Posted on 04/29/2010 12:21:54 AM PDT by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
Delta Flight 273 Passenger Charged with Interfering with Flight Crew and Making False Bomb Threats on Aircraft
BANGOR, ME—Derek Michael Stansberry, a U.S. citizen and resident of Riverview, Fla., was charged today in a criminal complaint in the District of Maine with interfering with flight crew members and willfully making false threats about an explosive device on an aircraft, U.S. Attorney Paula D. Silsby announced.
Stansberry, 27, a passenger on Delta flight 273 from Paris to Atlanta on April 27, 2010, was arrested yesterday after the flight was diverted to Bangor, Maine, in connection with his alleged illegal activities. Stansberry is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Bangor, but a time for the hearing has not yet been set. He faces a potential sentence of 20 years in prison for interfering with flight crew members and five years in prison for making false threats about an explosive device on an aircraft.
“Making false bomb threats on an aircraft and interfering with the flight crew are serious crimes that have serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Silsby. “Today’s charges should serve as a reminder that the federal government will not tolerate this activity. This case also highlights the extensive resources required to address threats that prove to be false -- resources that could be better utilized addressing real threats.”
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, during the course of the flight, Stansberry passed a note to the flight attendant stating, among other things, that he was not an American citizen, that his passports and identity were fake, that he would leave his wallet and passport on the aircraft and “Please let my family know the truth…”
The flight attendant provided the note to a Federal Air Marshal on the plane. Stansberry was then moved to the back of the plane and taken into custody by the air marshals without incident. According to the affidavit, Stansberry told the air marshals that he had dynamite in his boots, which were located in his backpack, and that a pressure plate switch would detonate the dynamite. Stansberry also allegedly stated that there were explosives in his laptop.
According to the affidavit, the air marshals took custody of the laptop and the boots, placed them at the rear of the plane and built a bunker around these items to dampen the effects of any potential explosion. Stansberry remained in custody as the flight was diverted to Bangor.
Upon arrival in Bangor at approximately 3:30 p.m., Stansberry was removed from the aircraft and taken into FBI custody. Passenger and crew were also removed from the aircraft. The Bangor Police Department bomb squad searched the entire plane and all carry-on and checked luggage. Preliminary field tests indicated traces of explosives on Stansberry’s boots and checked luggage. No explosive devices were located on the plane or in the luggage.
The affidavit alleges that, after being searched and brought to the holding area at the airport, Stansberry stated that he held high-level government clearances and was in possession of classified documents. He also allegedly stated that he believed people on the plane were following him, ridiculing him and using interrogation techniques on him, although these people never spoke directly to him or asked him any questions.
According to the affidavit, Stansberry said he decided to claim he had a bomb in order to divert attention from himself and the fact that he had classified information. He said he did not actually possess any explosive device and that he did not have the ability to make one. During the interview, Stansberry indicated that he had taken one Ambien earlier in the day. A report by the Federal Air Marshals indicated that Stansberry had stated to an air marshal that he had taken eight Ambien and had previously used Valium but not on this flight.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI, Federal Air Marshals, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Transportation and Security Administration and the Bangor Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains mere allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The guy sounds a little loopy to me.
Yes, he had a seriously poor lapse of judgement that's going to cost him big time.
If you go to his facebook page, he mentions how much he misses his wife and that he cant wait to get home.
Seems he was in Africa for some time and on his way home...
I wonder if any pharmaceuticals were involved? Or drugs mixed with alcohol?
He was an Air Force vet with a defense contractor job, a job he can probably kiss goodbye at this point. Why do intelligent, seemingly well-adjusted people commit such boneheaded acts that will seriously impact the rest of their lives?
Man, this guy screwed up bad!
Ambien. The guy was prescribed this...because of his travels in Africa and constant sleep problems. Read up on the drug.
For most folks, they will swear that it gives them a clear night of sleep. Then you have the group who have hallucinations or euphoria. You will go into a sleep-walk state...walk around...maybe even climb into your car and drive across the city, then actually really wake up and wonder how they got from one point to another.
So this guy likely popped at least the normal dose...maybe more...figured eight hours of real sleep, and went into some sleep-walk state...thinking of some event going on around him...then woke up to realize he had said two things to get him time in jail (bogus passport and bomb).
He’s an honest kid, with a security clearance, and screwed up because of prescribed drugs that lots of Americans use. They may convict him...but the judge will go to a probationary deal and demand he give up on the drug for the rest of his life.
For all of you out there taking Ambien...you might want to read all the comments carefully. If you have weapons in the house...they need to be locked down completely so it’s hard to just randomly open the case. You could do some really stupid stuff while sleep.
>> “Stansberry said he decided to claim he had a bomb in order to divert attention from himself” <<
Right. That will do it. Certainly won’t draw any attention.
WHAT?
You may be taking assumptions a wee little to “Way out there” far.
I pray to God that I never get a guy like this on one of my flights. I’d be in jail for knocking him cold.
using leftover meals refused by passengers?
You wanna know what I think?
He lives a couple miles from me. According to an interview with his dad on the local radio he had taken several ambien. He’s a defense contractor and its very common for them to use that sleep drug on the long flights.
ambien
CC
It'll still probably cost him his job which is a shame. Yeah, I've heard of people having bad effects from Ambien. Kinda like that non-smoking drug that's out now. Works just fine for 99.9% of the people who take it but makes that 0.1% go completely nuts, sometimes with tragic results.
“Passenger busted for saying he had explosives on plane was ex-Air Commando, decorated war vet”
BY JAMES GORDON MEEK
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Friday, April 30th 2010, 4:00 AM
SNIPPET: “He worked for Eatontown, N.J.-based R4 Inc., which provides military services to U.S. Africa Command, command spokesman Vince Crawley said.
Stansberry had a Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance when he left the Air Force after four years last June following duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Capt. Lisa Citino of the shadowy 1st Special Operations Wing.
He was an intelligence airman with the elite 4th Special Operations Squadron “Ghostriders,” who fly AC-130 Spooky gunships, Citino confirmed.
R4 officials refused to comment on Stansberry or their operations in the impoverished West African nation of Burkina Faso, where he was based.”
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