New York Man Indicted for Interference with Flight Crew and Impersonation of a Federal Air Marshal

NEW ORLEANS, LA—PAUL HENRY BORITZER, a/k/a John I. Michaels, age 46, a resident of New York, New York, was indicted yesterday for interfering with a flight crew and impersonating a Federal Air Marshal while he was traveling from New York to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to the indictment, on February 20, 2009, BORITZER, while onboard JetBlue flight 119, created a disturbance by refusing to obey the lawful instructions of the flight attendants and the Captain. BORITZER intimidated and threatened a flight attendant after he was denied alcoholic beverages during the flight and falsely claimed he was a Federal Air Marshal to the flight crew.

If convicted, BORITZER faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty-nine (29) years imprisonment, a $1 million fine. United States Attorney Jim Letten reiterated that the superseding indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys W. Scott Laragy and Gregory Kennedy.