According to the affidavit filed with the federal complaint: Yesterday afternoon, April 6, 2009, a Cessna 172 took off from an airport in the area of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, without approval from air traffic control and without radio contact. The plane was owned by Confederation College, a flight training school, in Thunder Bay. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police later determined that the plane was stolen by Adam Leon, a student at Confederation College and that he did not have authorization to fly the plane.
Due to the unknown nature of the flight and Leon's lack of radio communication, appropriate authorities were notified of the plane's location and direction of travel for public safety. U.S. Department of Defense aircraft intercepted the Cessna 172 after it entered United States airspace. Attempts to communicate with Leon were unsuccessful. Leon landed the plane on a road off of Highway 60 near Ellsinore, Mo. He was arrested by the Missouri Highway Patrol at a local grocery store in Ellsinore.
Yavuz Berke, a/k/a Adam Dylan Leon, 31, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, was charged in the federal complaint with a violation of Title 18, USC, Section 2312, interstate transportation of a stolen aircraft; and Title 8, USC , 1325(a)(1), illegal entry into the United States.
Interstate transportation of stolen property carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Illegally entering the United States carries a penalty of six months prison.
The charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source U.S. Department of Justice
