New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Interference with Flight Crew

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JOEL MICHAEL BANE, age 39, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty yesterday to a one-count bill of information  for interference with flight crew.

According to the court documents, JOEL MICHAEL BANE intimidated and threatened flight attendants while on Southwest Airlines flight number 208, which departed from Chicago, Illinois, with a destination of New Orleans, Louisiana.  The defendant also refused to comply with the captain’s directives to take his seat for landing.  After the airplane landed, JOEL MICHAEL BANE assaulted the police officers who escorted him off of the airplane.

JOEL MICHAEL BANE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.  U.S. District Judge Milazzo set sentencing for December 13, 2018.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.

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