WASHINGTON, Nov 25 (KUNA) -- US Attorney General Merrick Garland directed on Wednesday US Attorneys to "prioritize prosecution of federal crimes occurring on commercial aircraft that endanger the safety of passengers, flight crews and flight attendants." "Passengers who assault, intimidate or threaten violence against flight crews and flight attendants do more than harm those employees; they prevent the performance of critical duties that help ensure safe air travel," Garland said in a statement.
He added "similarly, when passengers commit violent acts against other passengers in the close confines of a commercial aircraft, the conduct endangers everyone aboard." He affirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) "is committed to using its resources to do its part to prevent violence, intimidation, threats of violence and other criminal behavior that endangers the safety of passengers, flight crews and flight attendants on commercial aircraft." According to the memorandum, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Justice Department have created an "information-sharing protocol" to help ensure that the DOJ is notified about criminal conduct occurring on commercial aircraft.
"This protocol has already resulted in the referral of dozens of incidents by the FAA to the FBI for investigation," it said. (end) si.mt