SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Jonathan J. Dunn, who previously worked with Delta Air Lines, has been indicted over his reported th ilkreat to shoot the caption of a commercial flight.
Theincident took place midway through a journey in August 2022.
The US District Court for the District of Utah on October 18, with the help of a grand jury, "indicted Jonathan J Dunn for interfering with the crew of a commercial airline flight," as per a release from the Office of Inspector General at the US Department of Transportation.
“The indictment alleges that, on or about August 22, 2022, Dunn, the crew’s First Officer, interfered with the performance of a crew member by using a dangerous weapon to assault and intimidate the Captain,” read the release.
It added, “Dunn was authorized to carry a firearm through the Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Flight Deck Officer program. After a disagreement about a potential flight diversion due to a passenger medical event, Dunn told the Captain they would be shot multiple times if the Captain diverted the flight.”
Investigation into the matter is ongoing
The authorities further updated that the investigation is underway, stating “DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of investigation with substantial assistance from FAA.”
According to ABC News, if found guilty, he can be imprisoned for up to 20 years in prison.
“After a disagreement about a potential flight diversion due to a passenger medical event, Dunn told the Captain they would be shot multiple times if the Captain diverted the flight,” the inspector general's office said
In a statement on Tuesday evening, October 31, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration told CBS News, "TSA is aware of an incident involving a Federal Flight Deck Officer."
Pilot taken off FFDO program
The department confirmed that he’s removed from the FFDO program, and refused to comment since the matter is "pending investigation."
An arraignment is scheduled for November 16.
In an unrelated incident, an off-duty pilot tried to pull off the engine fire handle. The harrowing incident occurred on Sunday, October 22, when Horizon Air was going to San Francisco from Seattle, reports MEAWW.
“I pulled both emergency shut-off handles because I thought I was dreaming, and I just wanna wake up,” Emerson said, per the federal complaint. He allegedly told the cops, “I’m admitting to what I did. I’m not fighting any charges you want to bring against me, guys,” the documents claim.
