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Date: 08-30-2020
Case Style:
Case Number: 20-CR-147
Judge: Christine M. Arguello
Court: United States District Court for the District of Colorado (Denver County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney�s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Denver, CO - The United States of America charged Robert Vincent Allen with attempted destruction of an aircraft.
According to the stipulated facts contained in Allen�s plea agreement, on the morning of April 1, 2020, Allen boarded Delta Air Lines flight #1706 at the Los Angeles International Airport scheduled to fly to Detroit, Michigan. Shortly after take-off, other passengers observed Allen acting strangely, moving continuously about the cabin, and switching seats. Delta crewmembers monitored Allen, advised the pilot in command of a possible issue and attempted to get Allen settled. Allen later entered the lavatory, and refused to come out again. The lavatory smoke alarm sounded. Crewmembers forced open the door, removed Allen from the lavatory and extinguished burning paper he set on fire.
Upon hearing the smoke alarm, the pilot in command concluded that he could not safely operate the aircraft with a fire onboard and diverted the flight to Denver International Airport (DIA). Crewmembers seated him in the last row of the plane. Officers arrested Allen after the flight landed at DIA.
Allen was charged in a federal criminal complaint on April 2, 2020, and indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June 2, 2020. The guilty plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello on August 26, 2020.
Allen will be sentenced on December 16, 2020. He faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and payment of restitution to Delta Air Lines.
This case was investigated by the Denver FBI and the Denver Police Department. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Davies.
18 U.S.C. ��32(a)(1) & 32(a)(8) Destruction of Aircraft/Attempted Destruction of an Aircraft
(1)
49 U.S.C. � 46504 Interference with flight crew members and flight attendants
(2)
Outcome: 08/26/2020 36 MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Christine M. Arguello: Change of Plea Hearing as to Robert Vincent Allen held by VIDEO TELECONFERENCE on 8/26/2020. Plea entered by Defendant; Guilty as to Count 1 of the Indictment. Sentencing set for 12/16/2020 at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom A602, before Judge Christine M. Arguello. All other dates are VACATED and any pending motions are denied as moot. The US Probation Office shall prepare a Presentence Report. Counsel shall file their sentencing positions and all motions at least 14 days before the sentencing date; responses or objections shall be filed no later than 7 days before the sentencing date. Failure to timely file these pleadings may result in a continuance of the sentencing date. Defendant present on bond; Defendant's bond continued. (Total time: 31 Minutes, Hearing time: 1:54 p.m. -- 2:25 p.m.)
APPEARANCES: Patricia Davies on behalf of the Government, Jennifer Beck on behalf of the Defendant. Court Reporter: Darlene Martinez. (swest) Text Only Entry (Entered: 08/26/2020)
08/26/2020 37 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Robert Vincent Allen. (swest) (Entered: 08/26/2020)
08/26/2020 38 STATEMENT IN ADVANCE OF PLEA OF GUILTY by Defendant Robert Vincent Allen. (swest) (Entered: 08/26/2020)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: