A student pilot from Coconut Creek, Florida, Rufus Crane, has admitted to stealing a private plane from Perry, Georgia. He flew the aircraft to North Carolina and back under conditions that required specialized training for safe navigation. On June 11, Crane pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen aircraft. The maximum sentence for this offense is ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a potential fine of $250,000. U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell is overseeing the case with sentencing set for September 17.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker commented on the incident: “By choosing to steal a single-engine aircraft and fly to North Carolina—making landings at several regional airports along the way—the defendant put his own life and the lives of others at risk, despite not being fully trained or holding a pilot’s license.” Booker expressed gratitude towards the Perry Police Department investigators for their collaboration with federal partners.
Captain James Jones of the Perry Police Department emphasized the gravity of Crane's actions: “The theft and unauthorized operation of an aircraft is not just a property crime—it’s a serious threat to public safety.” He acknowledged Detective Ike Wilcox's investigative efforts and appreciated the cooperation with federal authorities.
Joseph Harris from the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General also highlighted concerns about aviation safety regulations being ignored: “A situation like this can escalate quickly when critical aviation safety laws and regulations are brazenly disregarded.”
Court documents reveal that on May 4, 2024, Crane stole a Bonanza A-36 aircraft from Perry Airport without lawful credentials or permission. He flew it to JAARS-Townsend Airport in Waxhaw, North Carolina before returning via South Carolina on May 5. Due to foggy conditions upon his return to Perry, he used Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) instead of visual cues and landed safely only after refueling at Cochran Municipal Airport.
At the time of these flights, Crane held only a Student Pilot Certificate without necessary endorsements for solo flight or flying that specific model plane. Additionally, he turned off the plane's transponder during these night flights.
The investigation involved coordination between the U.S. Department of Transportation and Perry Police Department with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting this case for the Government.
