N.D. Man Gets Jail Time For Setting Plane Fire

Dec. 16, 2011
A former flight attendant who set fire to an airplane bathroom and forced an emergency landing in Fargo has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A former flight attendant who set fire to an airplane bathroom and forced an emergency landing in Fargo has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Eder (AY'-dur) Rojas (ROH'-haws) was charged with setting a fire aboard an aircraft and failing to appear in court. Authorities say he started a fire on a May 2008 Compass Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Regina, Saskatchewan.

Investigators said Rojas was unhappy about working the route. His defense attorney said Friday that Rojas likely did it because he has a narcissistic personality disorder and wanted to be a hero. Rojas helped put out the blaze.

Rojas was a fugitive for nearly three years.

Judge Ralph Erickson sentenced Rojas to 74 months in prison and ordered he pay nearly $100,000 in restitution.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored Recommendations

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!