An American who hijacked an airliner to Cuba nearly 30 years ago as a self-described revolutionary flew back home Wednesday to face U.S. justice.I think this case may be pre-guidelines, so the judge will have quite a bit of leeway at sentencing. Any predictions?
FBI agents took William Potts, 56, into custody shortly after his charter flight from Havana landed at Miami International Airport, said FBI spokesman Mike Leverock. Potts faces a 1985 federal indictment charging him with air piracy for hijacking a Piedmont Airlines flight in 1984.In interviews prior to leaving Cuba, Potts said he was seeking “closure” and hoped to convince U.S. prosecutors to give him credit for the 13-plus years he spent in Cuban prison for hijacking the flight. The U.S. charge carries a sentence of between 20 years and life in prison, according to federal prosecutors.“My position is I am a free man. I have served my time,” Potts said. “But they seem to have another concept. They are going to take control of me. I will be under their authority.”It wasn’t immediately clear how the U.S. attorney’s office would proceed and exactly when Potts would make his first court appearance. He was taken from the airport to the FBI’s Miami field office.
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
"Homesick Hijacker"
This guy has been on the lam for 30 years but is planning to argue that he has served his time because he did 13 years in a Cuban prison. From Curt Anderson:
http://www.local10.com/news/brothers-accused-of-making-up-murder-plot/-/1717324/22817468/-/ybroe5z/-/index.html STUPID CRIMINALS
ReplyDeleteDepends on the judge, DOM. Depends on the judge.
ReplyDeleteRosenbaum
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