A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging a Homer woman with attempted interference with the navigation of a seaplane and negligent operations of a vessel.
According to court documents, Marian Beck, 68, operated her vessel in a reckless manner as she made several close passing maneuvers in front of a seaplane full of passengers, while it was taxiing out of the waterway. Beck is a licensed mariner and operates commercially in Halibut Cove and the surrounding area.
The defendant was arraigned on February 3, 2023, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew S. Scoble. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 21 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) with the help of the Alaska State Troopers (AST) are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Gavelek are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
