US Attorney General's Office to File Charges on Major Airline Pilot in Salt Lake City

[FN FAL]

Co-pilot suspected of intoxication
By JENNIFER DOBNER
Associated Press Writer


SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A Southwest Airlines co-pilot was arrested minutes before takeoff Sunday, after a security screener reported that his breath smelled of alcohol, authorities said.

Carl Fulton, 41, of Fort Worth, Texas, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of operating a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a federal offense.

A Transportation Security Agency screener reported to supervisors that the co-pilot's breath smelled of alcohol when he went through a security screening line, FBI spokesman Patrick Kiernan said.

Police administered a breathalyzer test, but the results were not being released Sunday, Kiernan said.

The Boeing 737 was scheduled to depart Salt Lake City International Airport with 123 passengers, traveling first to Phoenix and then to Albuquerque, N.M. It left 15 minutes late after Fulton was replaced.

The U.S. attorney's office was expected to file charges Monday, Kiernan said. The offense carries a penalty of up to 15 years in federal prison and fines.

Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Paula Berg confirmed the arrest and said Southwest has launched an internal investigation.

Fulton, who is based in Dallas, has worked for Southwest for two years and has no prior offenses. He is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, Berg said.

Federal Aviation Administration officials will conduct an investigation.

Yikes...they should have to wait until an indictment is handed down before they plaster a guy's name in the news.

 

[Metro752]

ALLEGED SUSPECTED INNOCENT

How would you all feel if you were wrongly accused.

 

[FN FAL]

ALLEGED SUSPECTED INNOCENT

How would you all feel if you were wrongly accused.

I agree with what you're saying. The media has already tried and convicted this person.

 

[sqwkvfr]

I'm dying to know how on earth they got someone from the US Attorney's Office to get off their ass, review the facts from reports that most likely weren't even filed yet and make this decision; all on a Sunday.

 

[ArcticFlier]

I'm dying to know how on earth they got someone from the US Attorney's Office to get off their ass, review the facts from reports that most likely weren't even filed yet and make this decision; all on a Sunday.

exactly what I was thinking....................



AF

 

[IFollowRoads]

I'm dying to know how on earth they got someone from the US Attorney's Office to get off their ass, review the facts from reports that most likely weren't even filed yet and make this decision; all on a Sunday.

He musta been drunk as a skunk for the AUSA to move that fast. They are moving quick because they are sure they can nail him.

Too bad for the guy, but he really shoulda called in sick or something.

 

[satpak77]

I'm dying to know how on earth they got someone from the US Attorney's Office to get off their ass, review the facts from reports that most likely weren't even filed yet and make this decision; all on a Sunday.

All it took was the FBI agent to call the duty AUSA when it happened and tell him what "they have". If any sob tests were failed and the observations of TSA, the police, and the FBI agent involved, and the AUSA (as we know now) told them to proceeed and the official paperwork from the AUSA side of things would start Monday morning.

There is always a duty AUSA on call 365 days a year.