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Description: Phoenix, Arizona criminal lawyer represented Defendant charged with interfering with a flight crew.

In 2021, Kelly Pichardo, age 32, from the Bronx, New York and her co-defendant, Leeza S. Rodriguez, engaged in unruly and intimidating behavior while traveling first class on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Los Angeles. Their actions caused such a disturbance that the pilot had to divert the flight to Phoenix, Arizona, so Pichardo and Rodriguez could be removed from the plane. Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced pursuant to her guilty plea in this case on November 7, 2022.

“There is a line between boorish behavior on an airplane and criminal activity, and the defendant clearly crossed it,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “First class passengers are not immune from prosecution: defendant’s verbal and physical intimidation disrupted the travel of passengers and crew alike.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case with assistance from the Phoenix Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Hakala, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

49:46504 - Interference with Flight Crew Member

An individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. However, if a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting or intimidating the member or attendant, the individual shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

Outcome: Kelly Pichardo was ordered committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of FOUR (4) MONTHS, with credit for time served. Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be placed on supervised release for a term of THIRTY-SIX (36) MONTHS; Special Assessment: $100.00; Fine: Waived: Restitution: $9,123.00. The defendant shall self-surrender for service of sentence at the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons or United States Marshal located in the Southern District of New York by Noon on October 28, 2022.

Leeza S. Rodiguez: MAGISTRATE JUDGE FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATION UPON A PLEA OF GUILTY as to Leeza S Rodriguez. Signed by Magistrate Judge Michael T Morrissey on 8/25/22.(JMA) (Entered: 08/26/2022)

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Defendant's Experts:

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