MEMPHIS, TN -(WMC) - A man accused of acting odd and threatening enough to cause the plane he was on to be diverted to Memphis has made an appearance in federal court.
On Tuesday, WMC Action News 5 learned that Andrew Mangual will not be "departing" the Bluff City anytime soon.
The suspect's hearing lasted just minutes, and the judge granted no bond pending a detention hearing.
During an initial appearance Tuesday in federal court, Mangual wore the same jump suit jacket he had on aboard his now infamous flight. FBI agents charged Andrew Mangual with one count of interference with the flight crew and attendants.
According to a criminal complaint, Mangual kept taking cell phone pictures of the crew, refused to comply with orders to turn off his phone while in flight, moved into the jump seat alongside the cockpit, refused to move, and told flight crew members, "it is dangerous if a gun goes off."
The crew recruited five able-bodied passengers to get Mangual in handcuffs.
Agents say the crew then sat Mangual in between two off-duty members of the flight crew for the rest of the flight. He repeatedly kicked the pouch on the back of the seat in front of him and told them that there was a gun in there. Officials did not find a gun.
Agents say the pilot and crew felt threatened enough that they decided to divert the flight, originally bound from Phoenix, Arizona to La Guardia International in New York, to Memphis International Airport. Mangual was arrested at the airport.
According to an airport police report, the only items found on Mangual were "a 1.25 ounce bottle of 'no sew thread' flammable liquid, a lighter, and a pair of gloves."
Mangual was subsequently charged with the federal crime of interfering with flight crew members and attendants, and his detention hearing is set for Thursday afternoon.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Source: http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/25681863/man-charged-after-forcing-plane-to-divert-to-mem
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