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United States Attorney Contact: Rachel K. Paulose, United States Attorney (612) 664-5600 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Minneapolis Man Charged Federally for Disrupting a Continental Flight
Minneapolis - A man who had to be restrained by federal air marshals after he became agitated on a Continental Airlines flight has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his actions. Abdirizak Abdullahi Rage, age 24, has been charged with three counts of interference with a flight crew and three counts of assault on a federal employee.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, Rage was on a April 5, 2006, Continental flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, when he became disruptive. While the plane was at cruising altitude, Rage allegedly began to pace the aisle and scratch and picked at himself. He then removed his shirt, socks, and shoes. An off-duty airline captain and several flight attendants tried to ease Rage’s apparent anxiety and get him to return to his seat. According to the complaint, however, Rage resisted their efforts.
At that point, a federal air marshal on board was summoned. As the marshal approached, Rage allegedly insisted his seat was burning his skin; the air blowing from overhead was burning his head; and he needed to get off the plane immediately. The marshal attempted to calm him, but he continued to be disruptive. As the plane began its descent into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Rage allegedly still refused to return to his seat, which prevented other passengers from returning to their seats. The complaint states that Rage was told he would be arrested if he did not sit down, but Rage responded that he did not care. He then allegedly resisted arrest, forcing a second air marshal to assist at the scene. Ultimately, Rage was arrested for interfering with a flight crew.
After the plane landed at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Rage was transported to jail. During that trip, he allegedly kicked the federal air marshal who was driving the van and twice bit another air marshal on the arm, breaking the skin.
If convicted, Rage faces a maximum potential penalty of twenty years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each count in the indictment. Any sentence will be determined by a judge.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Air Marshal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William H. Koch is prosecuting the case.
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An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
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