FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTAUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885 MARCH 29, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARIZONA MAN CHARGED IN ASSAULT OF CREW MEMBERS DURING FLIGHT TO BWI
Baltimore, Maryland -Bryan Leon Spann, age 34, of Marristown, Arizona, was charged by information today with assaulting two flight attendants, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to court documents, on March 10, 2007, Spann, a passenger on America West Flight 81 traveling from Phoenix, Arizona to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) became loud, belligerent and combative during the flight. A member of the flight crew attempted to calm Spann down, as he was disturbing both the crew and passengers. Instead, Spann struck the crew member in the right eye with a closed fist. The information further alleges that Spann struck another crew member. Officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police met the plane when it landed at BWI and took Spann into custody.
Spann faces a maximum sentence of 6 months in prison and a $5,000 fine for each offense. The defendant previously had his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on March 12, 2007 and was released with a special condition that he is prohibited from air travel while his case is pending.
An information is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by information is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceeding.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who is prosecuting the case.