Investigations

On January 16, 2020, a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey charged Matthew Dingley with interference with flight crew members and attendants. On January 9, 2020, Dingley—a passenger aboard a United Airlines flight from Dulles International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport—allegedly attempted to gain access to the aircraft’s cockpit and physically assaulted a female flight attendant who attempted to intervene.

 

A Federal arrest warrant was issued for Dingley, who is currently being held on State charges in Essex County, New Jersey. The New Jersey charges stem from his alleged assault on several Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY&NJ) police officers after the aircraft landed in Newark.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting the investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the PANY&NJ Police Department.

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.