(WWJ) A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to the attempted destruction of an aircraft after he set a fire on a flight bound for Detroit.
Robert Vincent Allen faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution to Delta Air Lines, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The plea agreement, cited in a release by federal prosecutors, states that on the morning of April 1, Allen boarded Delta Air Lines flight #1706 at the Los Angeles International Airport, scheduled to fly to Detroit.
Shortly after take-off, other passengers noticed Allen acting strangely, moving continuously about the cabin and switching seats. Flight attendants monitored Allen, advised the pilot of a possible issue, and tried to get him settled.
He later went into the bathroom, refusing to come out, and the lavatory smoke alarm went off.
Crewmembers forced open the door, removed Allen from the bathroom and extinguished burning paper he'd set on fire.
The flight was then diverted to the Denver International Airport, where Allen was arrested.
Allen was charged in a federal criminal complaint on April 2, and indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June, prosecutors said.
He appeared in U.S. District Court of Colorado remotely on Wednesday to enter his plea.
Allen remains free on bond as he awaits sentencing, set for December 16.
Authorities have not said why they believe he did it.
