A man who left on a recent flight from O'Hare to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as a passenger landed as a defendant in a federal criminal case after exposing himself and masturbating “throughout the flight,” according to federal prosecutors. Charged with a misdemeanor, he faces up to 90 days of jail time, a fine, and a period of supervised release.

In any case involving federal criminal charges, it can make a huge difference to the outcome to be represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney from the LLF Law Firm. If you've been charged with any kind of federal crime, call us today at 888.535.3686 or use our online contact form to set up a confidential consultation.

In Flight Crimes Are Treated Differently

When you're on board a plane that's in flight, you are under the jurisdiction of the federal government. As a result, misconduct or crimes that would normally be handled by state or local prosecutors if committed on the ground are treated as federal crimes to be decided in federal court. You can find yourself a defendant in a federal case for any number of offenses – one of these being indecent exposure, which is what the defendant on the flight to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has been charged with.

Federal law doesn't specifically list indecent exposure on board a flight as a crime. Instead, it incorporates by reference the District of Columbia offense of “Lewd, indecent, or obscene acts,” making that a federal crime if it's committed in the air. And because the DC law punishes such acts with a fine and/or up to 90 days prison time, that's what the potential penalty is in this case.

Other Federal Crimes In-Flight

Of course, federal law also applies to more serious in-flight crimes, including assault, murder and manslaughter, sexual abuse offenses, robbery, and others. But it can also apply if you engage in embezzlement or receive stolen property while in flight. Simply carrying a weapon – including a starter gun – onto a flight can land you in prison for 20 years. You can face a similar penalty for interfering with the flight crew in a way that “lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties.

Federal Crimes Pre-Flight

It's also a federal crime to assault any “Federal, airport, or air carrier employee who has security duties” inside the airport, where doing so “interferes with” or “lessens the ability” of the assaulted employee to perform their duties. The statute is broadly written; many airport employees other than TSA agents have security duties, and it's easy for one person's legitimate disagreement to be interpreted by the other person as an unjustified assault.

The LLF Law Firm Team Can Help

If you've been charged with any federal crime as a result of an incident at an airport or while on board a flight, the experienced criminal defense attorneys from the LLF Law Firm can help you. We've been helping defendants in federal criminal cases protect their rights for decades. Our attorneys know the law, know the courts and court procedures, and understand how to negotiate with prosecuting US attorneys on your behalf to help you resolve charges in as favorable a way as possible.

Don't delay if you're facing federal criminal charges – contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team today at 888.535.3686, or click on our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.