Richard Reid - Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Reid was immediately arrested at Logan International Airport after the incident. Two days later he was charged before a federal court in Boston with "interfering with the performance of duties of flight crew members by assault or intimidation", a crime which by itself carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (Additional charges were added when he was formally indicted by a grand jury.) The judge ordered Reid held in jail without bail pending trial due to the seriousness of the crimes he was charged with, and the perceived high risk that he would attempt to flee. At that time, forensic results indicated Reid's shoes contained 10 ounces (283g) of C-4 plastic explosives, enough to blow a hole in the plane and cause it to crash. During a preliminary hearing which was held on December 28, an FBI agent testified that forensic analysis had identified the chemicals as PETN, the primary explosive, and TATP (triacetone triperoxide), a chemical needed to detonate the bomb.

The prosecutor proceeded to obtain a grand jury indictment and on January 16, 2002, Reid was charged with eight criminal counts related to his acts of terrorism, namely: attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, attempted homicide, placing an explosive device on an aircraft, attempted murder, interference with flight crew members and attendants, attempted destruction of an aircraft, using a destructive device during and in relation to a crime of violence and attempted wrecking of a mass transportation vehicle.

Reid pleaded guilty to all eight counts on October 4, 2002. On January 31, 2003, he was sentenced by Judge William Young to life in prison with no possibility of parole with three life sentences to be served consecutively. Eight fines of $250,000 each (totaling $2 million) were also imposed. During the sentencing hearing, Reid stated that he was an enemy of the United States and in league with Al-Qaeda. Though Reid proclaimed he was a soldier of God (Allah) under the command of Osama bin Laden, Judge Young declared:

"You are not an enemy combatant, you are a terrorist" ... "You are not a soldier in any army, you are a terrorist. To call you a soldier gives you far too much stature. (points to U.S. flag) You see that flag, Mr. Reid? That is the flag of the United States of America. That flag will be here long after you are forgotten."

Reid reportedly demonstrated a lack of remorse and a combative nature during the hearing and said that "the flag will come down on the day of judgement."He is serving his life sentence at the United States Penitentiary, Florence ADX in Colorado, a supermax facility which holds the most dangerous prisoners in the federal system.