Ex-Delta Co-Pilot Indicted Over Alleged Threat to Shoot Captain 'Multiple Times' During Flight
Jonathan J. Dunn had been cleared to carry a gun under the TSA's Federal Flight Deck Officer program
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Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 landing at Barcelona AirportA former Delta Air Lines pilot has been indicted in connection with an alleged threat to shoot the captain of a commercial flight midway through a journey in August 2022.
On Oct. 18, 2023, a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah "indicted Jonathan J. Dunn for interfering with the crew of a commercial airline flight," according to a release from the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The release added that the incident happened when a passenger onboard the flight suffered a "medical event" and the captain suggested the aircraft change route.
"Dunn, the crew’s First Officer, interfered with the performance of a crew member by using a dangerous weapon to assault and intimidate the Captain," stated the release.
Related: Delta Airlines Pilot Arrested Just Before Take-Off After Police Suspected He Was Intoxicated
"Dunn was authorized to carry a firearm through the Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program," it continued. "After a disagreement about a potential flight diversion due to a passenger medical event, Dunn told the Captain they would be shot multiple times if the Captain diverted the flight."
According to the release, the Department of Transportation is investigating the incident with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Aviation Authority.
If convicted, Dunn could face up to 20 years in prison, reported ABC News.
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In a statement provided to CBS News on Tuesday, a Transportation Security Administration spokesperson said that the "TSA is aware of an incident involving a Federal Flight Deck Officer."
The agency added to CBS News that Dunn was currently not part of the FFDO program. Delta also confirmed to PEOPLE that Dunn — described as a "California pilot" in the release — is no longer employed by the airline, but could not offer further information.
PEOPLE reached out to the Transportation Security Administration for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Per ABC News, an arraignment for Dunn is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Related: Delta Airlines Pilot Arrested Just Before Take-Off After Police Suspected He Was Intoxicated
The news comes after off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder for allegedly attempting to shut down a plane’s engines during a flight from Seattle to San Francisco operated by Horizon Air on Oct. 22.
Emerson had allegedly taken psychedelic mushrooms around 48 hours before the flight, according to county and federal charging documents seen by PEOPLE.
An airline statement also alleged that Emerson attempted to close down the plane’s engines by using the aircraft's fire suppression system before he was restrained. A pair of on duty pilots were then able to reroute the plane to Portland, Oregon where it landed safely.
Emerson pleaded not guilty via his attorney at an Oct. 24 arraignment, a spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
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