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BeaconMediaNews.com
february 12, - february 18, 2018
O.C. Pilot Agrees To Plead Guilty To Flying Passenger Aircraft While Under The Influence Of Alcohol A former captain with Alaska Airlines has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of piloting a plane carrying passengers while he was under the influence of alcohol. David Hans Arntson, 62, of Newport Beach, agreed to plead guilty to operating a common carrier while under the influence in a plea agreement filed this morning in United States District Court. According to court documents, Arntson was the pilot of two Alaska Airlines flights on June 20, 2014. The first flight was from San Diego International Airport to Portland, Oregon. He then flew a plane from Portland, Oregon, to John Wayne Airport in Orange County. After landing at John Wayne Airport, Arntson was selected for random drug and alcohol testing by Alaska Airlines. A technician for Alaska Airlines performed two breathalyzer tests that showed the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration
of 0.134 percent and 0.142 percent. “Those percentages were well above the federal limit of 0.04 percent for pilots,” according to the plea agreement. After the technician informed Alaska Airlines of the test results showing alcohol in his system, the airline removed Arntson from all safety-sensitive duties. Following
the June 20, 2014, incident, Arntson retired from the Alaska Airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration revoked his ability to pilot a plane. “This pilot worked for the airline for more than 20 years, and we now know that he was an alcoholic who flew commercial flights while under the influence of alcohol,”
Studies show that most youths do not understand their Miranda rights or the consequences of waiving those rights and talking to law enforcement without counsel. Due to advancements in adolescent brain development, we now understand that juveniles need additional assistance understanding their Miranda rights. Moreover, since youths are vulnerable in interrogation settings, they have higher instances than adults of falsely confessing. Realizing all of this, Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 395
into law. The new law provides that barring circumstances of imminent bodily harm or damage to property, youths 15 years and under must have a consultation with an attorney before they can legally waive their Miranda rights and be interrogated. The LA County Public Defender is leading the way to ensure that the law — the only such law in the U.S.— is successful. “We want this to work for the kids we’re representing and we want this to work for law enforcement,” said Juvenile Division Head Deputy
Casey Lilienfeld. Deputy public defenders are now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to consult with youths regarding their Miranda rights. Since Jan. 1, 2018, the office has received about 60 calls. For example, on a late Friday night, a deputy public defender drove to Pomona to speak to a young teen who had been detained by law enforcement after the girl, who was in foster care, had allegedly hit her roommate. The girl was confused about why she would be taken to juve-
- Courtesy photo
said United States Attorney Nicola T. Hanna. “When he was finally caught, the evidence indicates that he had flown with an alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. Thankfully, Mr. Arntson was never involved in an accident, but his conduct could have resulted in tragic consequences. Very few people will ever hold the lives
of so many people in their hands at one time.” In the plea agreement filed today, the parties have agreed that the appropriate sentence in this case is one year and a day in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney will schedule a hearing for Arnt-
son to enter his guilty plea. The investigation into Arntson was conducted by the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. “This guilty plea demonstrates that ensuring the safety of the travelling public within the nation’s air transportation system remains a high priority for both the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Department of Transportation (DOT),” said William Swallow, DOT-OIG Regional Special Agent-inCharge. “Working with the Federal Aviation Administration and prosecutorial partners, we will continue our efforts to prevent and punish those who seek to compromise the safety of our national airspace system.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dennis Mitchell and Mark A. Williams of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.
LA County Public Defender Provides Counsel And Comfort To Youths 24/7
Glendale Latino Association 2018 Installation & Awards Luncheon Feb 28
The Glendale Latino Association Installation & Awards Luncheon will take place on February 28th from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the Oakmont Country Club located at 3100 Country Club Drive, Glendale, 91208. The Glendale Latino Association is pleased to announce the 2018 Honorees for Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, and Business of the Year. • Man of the Year- Michael J. Garcia, City Attorney, City of Glendale • Woman of the Year- Paula Devine, Councilmember, City of Glendale • Business of the Year- Jenkins Properties Management Be part of celebrating these honorees
at our Installation & Awards Luncheon on February 28th. Individual tickets are $75. For ticket information, please contact Miryam Finkelberg at (213) 863-4086 or via email info@glendalelatinoassociation.com. Glendale Latino Association’s purpose is to provide scholarships to local students who have demonstrated educational excellence and extraordinary citizenship, to promote activities that improve education, and bring together businesses and professionals. To learn more about the Glendale Latino Association and its 2018 Honorees visit: http://www.glendalelatinoassociation. com/about/
Deputy Public Defender Rourke Stacy, trainer in the Juvenile Division, helped to author SB 395. - Courtesy photo
nile hall and detained. The attorney not only advised her of her Miranda rights, but quelled her fears and provided much needed comfort. “Often, youths are arrested [for conduct] at group homes,” Lilienfeld said. “They are there by no fault of their own, their parents were no longer able to care for them, and if they fight with others at the home, police may be called. In most families, instead of calling the police, usually the parents would settle the argument.” The presence of a deputy public defender provided a much-needed advocate at a time when the youth was confused and scared, said Division Chief Ramon Quintana, who along with Assistant
Public Defender Winston Peters, is leading the implementation of SB 395 at the Public Defender’s office. Deputy Public Defender Rourke Stacy, who helped develop and draft SB 395, said the bill was enacted because of the pronounced developmental differences between juveniles and adults. “Youth perceive custody very differently and do not fully understand the criminal justice system and the consequences of waiving Miranda rights,” Stacy said. “Attorneys who are called to consult with these youth are providing a needed service at what could be the most pivotal moment in the youth's life." Stacy said that between 60 and 75 percent of arrested
youths have either untreated mental health issues, childhood trauma, or learning disabilities. “Many of the youths will be speaking with law enforcement, defense attorneys and social workers in this context; these children may not be operating at their grade level,” she said. “These children may have other deficits. We may think that they understand, but they may not.” By having attorneys available at all times to assist young people who are facing interrogation, the Public Defender is not only providing legal counsel, but also comforting and advocating for vulnerable individuals in the criminal justice system — our youth.