Man convicted of impersonating air marshal

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A New York man is facing up to 29 years in prison after being convicted of impersonating an air marshal on a flight, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office says.

Paul Henry Boritzer was found guilty of interfering with a flight crew on a flight from New York to New Orleans this year, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune said Friday.

Bortizer was accused of acting rude to staff members of a Jet Blue flight. After being informed he would not be served any more alcohol, Boritzer reportedly informed a stewardess he was an airline pilot and an air marshal.

Boritzer, who goes by the name John I. Michaels, was accused of pacing the aircraft's cabin and arguing with crew members until the flight's pilot ordered him to sit down.

The Times-Picayune said Boritzer, who was traveling to take part in Mardi Gras celebrations, will be sentenced in U.S. District Court on Dec. 9.