United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Hopewell, Virginia, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants.
Kennedy Runner, age 68, was arrested on March 28, 2014, pursuant to a federal Criminal Complaint. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on April 1, 2014, and requested a preliminary hearing on the Complaint.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charge relates to an incident on March 28, 2014, at Rapid City Regional Airport, when Runner interfered with the performance of the duties of a flight crew member and flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 6089 by threatening to kill passengers on the aircraft.
The charge is merely an accusation and Runner is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Runner was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for June 3, 2014.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
