Court Watching: Judge Parrott sentences co-pilot who tried to fly airliner after drinking

John McGuire, 50, an American Airlines co-pilot who pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of operating a plane while intoxicated, was sentenced by 34th District Court Judge David Parrott on Aug. 24.
Judge Parrott sentenced him to 12 months of reporting probation (at a cost of $50 per month), a 45-day suspended jail sentence (which would be reinstated if he didn’t comply with probation rules), $700 in fines and costs, alcohol screening determined by the court’s probation department, and 48 hours of community service within 120 days.
McGuire’s attorney said his client lives in Pennsylvania and so he would like to have the probation in that state. Judge Parrott agreed, as long as the 34th District Court retained jurisdiction over it.
Judge Parrott relied on the seven-page police report on the incident.
His attorney said McGuire has been a pilot for 35 years and has a passion for flying. After the incident, he enrolled in 78 days of inpatient treatment and has had intensive outpatient treatment, attending 2-3 AA meetings a week and taking breathalyzers four times a day.
“He wants to make sure he’s good to fly,” his attorney said. “That’s his passion, his goal.”
The Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor said if McGuire fails to comply, he would finish his term in jail.
Judge Parrott said the course of treatment McGuire has taken is very relevant to the sentence. Judge Parrott said, of course, he is prohibited from controlled substances and alcohol and he should share the details of his treatment record with the probation department because they don’t want to duplicate.
“Good luck to you,” Judge Parrott said to McGuire.
It all started March 26 when McGuire was scheduled to fly American Airlines Flight 736 from Detroit Metro Airport to Philadelphia at 7 a.m.
When McGuire arrived at the airport TSA employees reported to the airport authority that he smelled of alcohol and appeared to be drunk. McGuire went to the cockpit to begin his pre-flight checks. At about 6:30 a.m., he was taken into custody by the Wayne County Airport Authority.
McGuire was given a breathalyzer test by the airport authority and he failed the test, blowing .081 blood alcohol content. A pilot is not allowed to fly with more than .04 BAC. Romulus City Police Department was notified and officers gave McGuire a second breathalyzer, which he also failed, blowing .05.
McGuire was arrested for drinking before his scheduled flight. But that charge was updated to operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol. Flight 736 was cancelled.
Allen McKinley Marbly
Allen McKinley Marbly, 28, waived his preliminary exam and Judge Parrott bound him over to face his arraignment on the information on Sept. 7 at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit. He is charged with assault by strangulation and aggravated domestic violence on Aug. 6 in Van Buren Township. He is free after posting bond of $10,000/10%. VBT Officer in charge of the case is Det. Mark Buxton.
Marbly’s court appointed defense attorney David Lankford told Judge Parrott that his client is employed by a contractor doing work in Columbus, Ohio and the judge said that it was all right to go to work in Ohio.
Amy Suzann Fink
Amy Suzann Fink, 47, waived her preliminary exam and was bound over to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit for a Sept. 7 arraignment on the information. She is charged with fleeing an officer in a vehicle-4th degree, operating while license suspended-2nd, operating a motor vehicle without security (insurance) and unregistered vehicle.
She is free on $5,000 personal recognizance bond. VBT Det. Mark Buxton is the officer in charge of the case.
Anthony Lee McDaniel
Anthony Lee McDaniel, 30, waived his preliminary exam and Judge Parrott bound him over to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice for an arraignment on the information on Sept. 7. He is charged with operating while intoxicated-3rd and driving while license suspended-2nd in Van Buren Township on Feb. 28, 2015.
McDaniel posted $2,000 cash/surety bond. Court appointed attorney Lankford is defending him.