James R. Muench Jr., a 45-year-old resident of Depew, NY, has been charged with unlawfully entering a secure area at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest and charge, which involves forcefully ramming his vehicle through a closed security gate to access the aircraft operational area. The charge could result in up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright is handling the case and provided details from the complaint stating that on May 20, 2025, Muench used a pickup truck to breach perimeter access Gate 1 at the airport. He allegedly crashed into the gate multiple times until it bent, allowing him unauthorized entry into various secure areas including the airfield, taxiways, passenger ramp, and runway.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police responded promptly to the incident, apprehending Muench at the scene. He was subsequently taken into custody.
Muench appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released under certain conditions.
The investigation leading to this complaint was conducted by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police led by Chief Brian Patterson and the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
It is important to note that charges are accusations at this stage; Muench is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
