Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Depew man accused of driving into a secure gate at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport back on May 20 now faces federal charges in connection with the incident.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York has arrested 45-year-old James Muench Jr. and charged him by criminal complaint with entering an aircraft area at the airport by forcefully ramming his vehicle through a closed security gate and entering the secure aircraft operational area of the airport.
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Prosecutors say Muench was driving a pickup truck when he breached Perimeter Access Gate 1 by forcefully driving up to the gate, intentionally crashing and ramming it multiple times, before bending the gate. After breaking through, he then drove to the aircraft operational area without authorization, evading the security procedures or restrictions in place.
Muench is further alleged of driving through various secure parts of the airport to include the airfield, aircraft taxiways, the passenger ramp where commercial aircraft are usually docked when transporting passengers, and the airport runway where aircraft take off and land.
NFTA Police responded to the scene, located Muench, and took him into custody.
Muench made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah McCarthy and was released on conditions.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.