French Citizen Causes Flight to Divert to Bangor

BANGOR, ME—United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty, II announced that yesterday, U.S. Airways flight 787 from Paris, France to Charlotte, North Carolina was diverted to Bangor International Airport because of a security issue regarding a passenger and what was reported as an implanted device of some kind.

Upon arrival in Bangor, Lucie Zeeko Marigot, a 41-year-old French citizen and native of Cameroon, was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). An investigation into charges of interference with the flight crew members and attendants continued throughout the night and this morning by the FBI.

The original detention was based upon probable cause that she interfered with the flight crew. She appeared in front of U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Margaret Kravchuk this afternoon.

United States Attorney Delahanty and Assistant United States Attorney James McCarthy informed the court that based on further investigation, a criminal complaint would not be filed against her. Instead, she will be taken into custody by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to be returned to France.

United States Attorney Delahanty said that when the plane was over the Atlantic Ocean, it was the correct decision to divert the flight to Bangor, given the circumstances that were known at that time. Marigot had given a note to a flight attendant along with a book authored by her that details her personal story. Both the note and book were in French. The note sought help from President and Mrs. Obama and the American people. The note stated that she was “simply a victim of a group of doctors” and that she had “an object in her body that is out of [her] control.” When the flight attendant asked whether the object could hurt her or others, she replied that she did not know. An examination by two doctors on board determined that she had no visible scars indicating any kind of implant.

Upon arriving in Bangor, a search of the plane and baggage revealed no explosives or dangerous items. The continuing investigation revealed that the plane and its crew and passengers were never actually in danger at any time.

United States Attorney Delahanty praised the thorough investigation that was conducted by the FBI, CBP, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Bangor Police Department.

Bangor Woman Sentenced for Bank Robbery

BANGOR, ME—United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Matisha Pitts, 26, of Bangor, was sentenced today, in U.S. District Court, to 48 months' imprisonment, three years' supervised release, and restitution of $1,390 for bank robbery. Pitts pled guilty on November 17, 2010.

Court records reveal that in July 2010, Pitts robbed $1400 from a Bangor Savings Bank branch. Pitts told a bank teller that she had a gun in her purse and would start shooting if the teller did not cooperate or if anyone tried to stop her. Pitts left the bank in a taxi and was driven to an apartment in Bangor. She was arrested after the Bangor Police Department located her there. No gun was recovered.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bangor Police Department.

Love Caught Speeding

My wife, Janie, and I met when I was a police officer; I caught her speeding.

My heart became captive to her beauty and charm. My weapons held no defense against her prominent and penetrating eyes. It was if two souls had been wandering in the wilderness, lost and without hope, then coming upon a beautiful oasis. We both clung to each other like young voyagers on the high seas, captivated as the tide by a full moon.

Our voyage took us through exciting avenues of life; breathtaking dates on the sands of Lake Michigan as a billion stars applauded high overhead; laughter and tears at the junctions of life as our love carried us over smooth, then bumpy highways.

We still are kept warm by the never ending fire of that first encounter; when our hearts touched and produced a flame that sowed seeds of envy in the depths of a powerful Sun: warmth that keeps out the wintry blasts of approaching age.

Our love has become timeless!

Richard Neal Huffman

About the Author
Richard Neal Huffman was born the son of a sharecropper. At the age of two his parents migrated to southwest Michigan. At 20, Richard was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a medic. After discharge, he joined the National Guard and later the Army Reserves. Richard joined the Bangor Police Department and throughout his career he would serve as a patrol officer, training officer, sergeant, detective and assistant chief of police. Richard Neal Huffman’s first book, “Dreams in Blue: The Real Police,” is an autobiographical journey that takes the reader inside the world of the small town cop. He introduces the reader to people, situations, and a culture that is both interesting and unique. Richard’s second book, “Rubal,” is a fictional account of a Union soldier during the Civil War. Read more about Richard Neal Huffman’s work here.