DENVER – LAWFUEL – Troy A. Eid, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, and Richard C. Powers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Denver, announced that Frederick W. Murphy, age 59, of New Jersey, was arrested at DIA last night and charged by Criminal Complaint today with interference of a flight crew.
According to the FBI Affidavit in support of the Criminal Complaint, Murphy was disruptive, and grabbed a flight attendant during Continental Flight 17 from Newark, New Jersey to Los Angeles, California. Murphy became more upset when the flight attendants refused to serve him alcohol. His conduct caused the flight to be diverted to Denver International Airport.
Murphy made his initial appearance before a US Magistrate Judge in US District Court in Denver this afternoon. He was released on bond, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing and to be arraigned on March 28, 2007 at 10:00 am.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Denver Police Department.
A Criminal Complaint is a probable cause charging document. Every defendant accused of violating federal law has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.
The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and untill proven guilty.
NOTE: The Department of Justice cannot release mug shots, nor can it authorize another department to release mug shots.
