A man accused of unlawfully attempting to take control of a $3.1 million jet was stopped before he could fly the aircraft from Martin State Airport. The suspect, the 43-year-old president of an aerospace consulting firm, Joseph Goldman, remains in custody following his arrest last Friday after the actual pilot intervened. According to WBAL-TV, Goldman faces multiple charges, including theft and trespassing.
According to charging documents, Goldman allegedly managed to start the engine of a Gulfstream G4 jet—not a trivial feat—and sat in the pilot's seat before being confronted by the plane's assigned pilot. "In my whole career in aviation, I have never seen anything like that," the pilot, Tj Turbin, stated, as per FOX Baltimore.
A bail review for Goldman was postponed in the Baltimore County District Court pending the acquisition of legal representation. "These charges are a little steep," stated Goldman, indicating his intention to descend swiftly into the throes of legal advice.
Adding to the case's interest, Goldman has a criminal record. In 2017, he was convicted of gun charges, served a year in prison, and got three years of supervised release. Authorities also took several illegal guns from him, including a sawed-off shotgun and an unmarked rifle. "Goldman was the sole occupant of the aircraft when he turned the engine on giving him constructive control of the aircraft as he attempted to steal the aircraft," police wrote, as noted in the documentation shared by WBAL-TV.
Meanwhile, Martin State Airport reassures that security measures were quickly effective in preventing the escalation of this attempt. No injuries were reported, and Goldman is due back in court soon for his delayed bail hearing.
