What happens when you jump the fence At LAX?
Obviously, you are arrested. It is trespassing. But what else? Prison? Do Not Fly list? Airport ban?
Earlier this week, a man jumped the outer permitter fence at Los Angeles International Airport. It was about 1:30 P.M. and the man made a mad dash for a Delta Air Lines jet, where he was quickly apprehended.
The view from our @Delta flight at LAX. A guy ran onto the runway and started doing push-ups. Swiftly apprehended by @LAAirportPD before he could transition to sprints. @flyLAXairport #LAXPD pic.twitter.com/otYpZDO9cT
— Chad Ridgely (@ChadRidgely) August 27, 2018
Police carefully searched the aircraft (exterior and interior) to make sure he not affixed anything to it. They also retraced his steps on the tarmac to ensure he did not drop anything. Nothing was found.
He’ll face charges trespassing charges, but what about the actual punishment? A mental health evaluation may leave him in a hospital instead of a prison cell. We don’t know the man’s name yet, but police say he was homeless and in his late 20’s or early 30’s.
Entering a restricted airport area is covered under 18 U.S. Code § 1036. Penalty is capped at an unspecified fine and/or six months in jail. If carrying a weapon, the maximum jail sentences rises to 10 years. But that’s the maximum…a judge has great leniency in setting a sentence and a prosecutor has great discretion in whether to even file charges.
CONCLUSION
These stories always make think back to folk hero Marilyn Hartman, the seriel-stowaway who has been busted many times for sneaking past security checkpoints. Somehow, she always seem to find a way back. I’m counting down the days until she makes news headlines again.
But the answer to my question appears to be not much. One man was apprehended eight times jumping the same fence at LAX! It seems that there is little actual punishment for jumping an airport wall.
If he is homeless, it might have been a ploy to get into prison. You know, for 3 meals and a bed.