Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Depew man accused of driving into a secure gate at Buffalo Niagara International Airport now faces federal charges in connection with the incident last month.
The US Attorney’s office says James R. Muench Jr., 45, of Depew, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with entering an aircraft area at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by forcefully ramming his vehicle through a closed security gate and entering the secure aircraft operational area of the airport.
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 on May 20th. After breaking through, he then drove to the aircraft operational area without authorization, evading the security procedures or restrictions in place. Prosecutors say Muench drove 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…