Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

AA Pilot Busted for Impersonating Cop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Melon
  • Start date Start date
  • Watchers Watchers 24

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
Secret Squirrel said:
You make such blanket statements. Actually the US government can hold a person indefinately depending on the situation. They are doing it right now. They held an american citizen for like 3 years and finally released him for a trial. Every state has different rules and every department has different practices.
I was talking about the local cops ability to hold a person for 72 hours without charging them.
 
satpak77 said:
You seem to be hung up on the "local officer enforcing federal law" theme.

Kansas Criminal Code, section 21-3110 (10) defines law enforcement officer as

(10) "Law enforcement officer" means:
(a) Any person who by virtue of such person's office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for crimes, whether that duty extends to all crimes or is limited to specific crimes;

This person was likely arrest for Impersonation of a Law Enforcement Officer (a state charge) however the prosecutor likely referred it for Federal Prosecution since he claimed to be an Air Marshal and the federal penalties are much greater. State prosecution was likely declined in lieu of federal prosecution.

"Federal Air Marshal" fullfills the state of Kansas "law enforcement officer" definition. As such, the police officer made a legal arrest for a state charge.

This subject was (based on reading the news article) later released and at some point federal investigators became involved and pursued a federal indictment for impersonating an Air Marshal.

By the way, "False impersonation" is a misdemeanor under State of Kansas law (21-3824 is the statute)

That's fine, but there's a lot of assumptions in your post.

You're assuming the traffic stop wasn't for DUI, which would have given the police all the reason they would have needed to hold him.

Your're assuming that local police charged the subject with anything.

You're assuming that he was held and then released.

The press release and news article mention none of these things.

As for the "theme", I already said that the local police could detain a person for 72 hours without even charging them...that concept has nothing to do with state v. federal authority.
 
In addition sat pak, there's the assumption that the local cop knew there was an impersonation at the time and location of the traffic stop.

Nothing in the article or the press release says this.

At best, it says that the crime occurred when the man showed the local cop the id or whatever. That didn't say, that's when the impersonation was detected.

There isn't enough information in the article to determine, how, when, where and by what means the impersonation was detected.
 
FN FAL said:
That's fine, but there's a lot of assumptions in your post.

You're assuming the traffic stop wasn't for DUI, which would have given the police all the reason they would have needed to hold him.

Your're assuming that local police charged the subject with anything.

You're assuming that he was held and then released.

The press release and news article mention none of these things.

As for the "theme", I already said that the local police could detain a person for 72 hours without even charging them...that concept has nothing to do with state v. federal authority.

actually you are the one assuming....if the stop was for ANY traffic violation that is PC enough to make the "I am an Air Marshal" arrest

as far as "detain someone for 72 hours without charging them" please clarify this.

Felonies? Misdemeanors? both?
 
Last edited:
Uppercrust said:
Wow! Go after them and screw them hard. It's nice guys like you that make this job so fun. Why not talk to them? Better yet, mind your own business. What a thought.
When did say screw anybody? If they are abusing the FFDO status, they should lose it. I didn't say PROSECUTE them.
If they are using credentials solely to avoid taking off their shoes and aren't carrying the weapon, they don't deserve the privilege.
I happen to believe that when you raise your right hand and take an oath, it means something.
 
Last edited:
I've been told at training they are told how supposedly to get out of tickets and what not. It amost makes going to training worht while.
 
It amost makes going to training worht while.

Another Mensa Society candidate. Keep abusing this program and it will go away. Heck, with 874 cable news networks just itching for some sort of story, just keep posting brilliant thoughts like this one.
 
Just what a freind told me when he finished training, he did not say itwould work 100% of the time. Question: These aren't the same tools that wear their uniforms to the bars to attract attention? Why else would you want to make your FFDO status known to others outside of the industry?
 
satpak77 said:
actually you are the one assuming....if the stop was for ANY traffic violation that is PC enough to make the "I am an Air Marshal" arrest
How Long's a Chinaman?

satpak77 said:
as far as "detain someone for 72 hours without charging them" please clarify this.

Felonies? Misdemeanors? both?
If you're not charged, it's neither... it's a warrantless arrest. That's why the popo's have to wait until the judge pulls up his panties on Monday morning and opens up the courthouse for business. Unless Monday is a holiday...then it's Tuesday. Do math...friday afternoon, subject arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor qwidgeybo or felony gawking with intent to mope...the cops aren't sure which one will stick, so they hope for the best.

Popo does the police report, popo takes the man down to photo-id for processing, popo takes the man over to county for secure detention until there can be a judicial review. Monday's a holiday and so the man sits until Tuesday afternoon...thats damb near 80 hours. Then, to top it off, when the judge sees the subject, he gets the man to make a plea agreement on the spot for the misdemeanor of qwidgeybo, if he pleads guilty and pays the 100.00 fine in week. Boom, done deal...next.

Or...the judge sees there's not enough evidence to bind the man over for trial and the man walks.
 
gto2002 said:
I've been told at training they are told how supposedly to get out of tickets and what not. It amost makes going to training worht while.
No, that's called law school. That usually means about 7 years of sitting in classrooms. Or two years on-line at DeVry.
 
nice

ALthough I do respect they job and contribution on the a/c if there is a problem. I hope more exercise this only in the a/c and not try to outside of it. But that blog does not tell the whole story.
 
Don't know about the rest of the country, but in Texas you can hold a person for 72 hours without charges.... the dept. I worked for had a federal injunction against it and as a result only could hold a suspect for 24 hours before charges needed to be filed, apparently the 72 hours rule was being abused.... oh, and I as a PoDunk Beat cop could arrest then coordinate with the U.S. Attorney's Office (typically firearms or narcotics cases, especially felons in possession of firearms) in order to make the federal case.... And whoever said that the FBI and DEA would be out of business if it were not for the PoDunk beat cops making their case for them was right on the money..... Especially if there were any substantial property or money seizures!!!
 
satpak77 said:
Going back to the TSA site, you are an FFDO only when the cockpit door is shut. You are not "an FFDO just because you are travelling in your vehicle"

In that case, you are an airline pilot who was issued FFDO creds. The title of the program is Federal FLIGHT DECK Officer, and it does not involved enforcement or investigation of anything, other than the defense of the cockpit/flight deck.

Those of you who carry your FFDO creds around thinking you are FFDO's while you shop at Home Depot are in error. At Home Depot you are Joe Blow citizen, and FFDO status does not provide for any special weapons carry ability above and beyond cockpit duties.

If you carry a weapon into the Post Office, and think your FFDO creds will waiver the "no guns in US Govt buildings" rule, you are wrong.

An FFDO who is outside the cockpit remains an FFDO subject to the provisions of his SOP. He may not act as an FFDO outside the cockpit. He is a federal law enforcement officer who is outside of his jurisdiction, but must still act in accordance with the provisions of the SOP. I'm quite sure there are situations in which an FFDO could legally have his issue weapon in his possession in a post office or other facility in which he could not carry a personal weapon, but and this is key, he is not empowered to act i.e. use the weapon. I asked some very specific questions with examples during training.
 
gto2002 said:
Just what a freind told me when he finished training, he did not say itwould work 100% of the time. Question: These aren't the same tools that wear their uniforms to the bars to attract attention? Why else would you want to make your FFDO status known to others outside of the industry?

Actually we were told in no uncertain terms not to try it, if you do and get caught (the copy decides you deserve something more than just a speeding ticket for your efforts) you'll be in a lot of hot water.
 
FN FAL said:
How Long's a Chinaman?

If you're not charged, it's neither... it's a warrantless arrest. That's why the popo's have to wait until the judge pulls up his panties on Monday morning and opens up the courthouse for business. Unless Monday is a holiday...then it's Tuesday. Do math...friday afternoon, subject arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor qwidgeybo or felony gawking with intent to mope...the cops aren't sure which one will stick, so they hope for the best.

Popo does the police report, popo takes the man down to photo-id for processing, popo takes the man over to county for secure detention until there can be a judicial review. Monday's a holiday and so the man sits until Tuesday afternoon...thats damb near 80 hours. Then, to top it off, when the judge sees the subject, he gets the man to make a plea agreement on the spot for the misdemeanor of qwidgeybo, if he pleads guilty and pays the 100.00 fine in week. Boom, done deal...next.

Or...the judge sees there's not enough evidence to bind the man over for trial and the man walks.

FN, all crimes are either felonies or misdeamenors, period. Whether the arrest is with warrant or not, is independent of whether it is a felony or not.
 
gto2002 said:
I've been told at training they are told how supposedly to get out of tickets and what not. It amost makes going to training worht while.

I've tried it and it doesn't work. Evidently showing your tits only works if you are female. :pimp:
 
erichartmann said:
An FFDO who is outside the cockpit remains an FFDO subject to the provisions of his SOP. He may not act as an FFDO outside the cockpit. He is a federal law enforcement officer who is outside of his jurisdiction, but must still act in accordance with the provisions of the SOP. I'm quite sure there are situations in which an FFDO could legally have his issue weapon in his possession in a post office or other facility in which he could not carry a personal weapon, but and this is key, he is not empowered to act i.e. use the weapon. I asked some very specific questions with examples during training.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

We have a winner!

According to the "FFDO Legal Authority, Use of Force, and Liability" class we took, you are an FFDO all the time, but you may only exercise your authority while in a mission status, in the cockpit.

Pot bust at a college reunion? You were an FFDO arrested for pot, even though you weren't "on duty". You are double possum-f#$%#&!

DUI? Ditto. You get three government agencies worth of scrutiny for that one! (local, FAA, TSA)

You can carry your creds any dang time you choose, since they are a government-issued ID...but you must comply with the SOP if/when you decide to show them to somebody. Can you show them to the surly know-it-all clerk at the sporting goods store to buy ammo? Yup.

Can you use your H&K to shoot a burglar? Yup...but you ain't covered by ATSA (49 U.S.C. $114 (q)(3)).

Can you go deer hunting with it? Yup...since it's not prohibited. Again, no coverage by Uncle Sugar.

Can you use your creds to get out of a traffic ticket? NoyesWay! It's a matter of technique, not policy. "Officer I was speeding home to clean my government-issued USP after/before my requal at _________ (local cop range)." If he/she asks to see your badge...you are authorized to comply.

Naturally...some dorks will push the envelope. They "smooth out the curve" for the rest of us.
 
satpak77 said:
FN, all crimes are either felonies or misdeamenors, period. Whether the arrest is with warrant or not, is independent of whether it is a felony or not.
No kidding? Damb, you're good.
 

Latest resources

Back
Top