U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of James R. Muench Jr., 45, from Depew, NY, who has been charged with entering a restricted area at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. According to the criminal complaint, Muench forcefully rammed his vehicle through a closed security gate on May 20, 2025, accessing the secure aircraft operational area. The charge could result in a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright is handling the case and detailed that Muench drove his pickup truck to breach perimeter access Gate 1 by crashing into it multiple times until it bent open. Once inside, he proceeded unauthorized through various secure parts of the airport including airfields, taxiways, passenger ramps for commercial aircraft, and runways used for takeoffs and landings—all areas with strict access regulations.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police quickly responded to the incident, locating and detaining Muench on-site. He later appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released under specific conditions.
This investigation involved both the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police led by Chief Brian Patterson and the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm’s direction.
It is important to note that while charges have been filed against Muench, these are accusations at this stage; he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
