TUCSON, AZ—Ivan Bugakov, 24, of
Jacksonville, South Carolina, was arrested on May 28, 2012 and charged with
false information and threats involving aircraft. That charge entails giving
false information pertaining to an explosive device aboard an aircraft, knowing
the information to be false, under circumstances in which the information
reasonably may be believed.
The complaint alleges that Bugakov was
on a U.S. Airways flight that was scheduled to depart Tucson on Monday, May 28,
2012, when he became loud, unruly, and belligerent. Because Bugakov allegedly
refused to follow orders of the flight crew, the flight crew decided to taxi
back to the gate and have Bugakov removed from the plane. While exiting the
plane, Bugakov allegedly told the flight crew and fellow passengers that there
was a bomb onboard. When confronted by airport police, Bugakov allegedly stated
that he had a bomb in his carry-on luggage. All passengers were required to
exit the plane and all luggage and passengers were re-screened. Bomb detection
dogs were brought in to search for explosive devices, but none were found.
A conviction for false information and
threats involving aircraft carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a
$250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, the sentencing judge
will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate
sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in
determining a sentence.
A criminal complaint is simply the
method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no
inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence
is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation in this case was
conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Airport Authority Police, and
the Transportation and Safety Administration. The prosecution is being handled
by Beverly K. Anderson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.
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