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The restaurant owner in Alaska indicted on federal charges for knowingly steering her boat toward an aircraft has agreed to plead guilty. She will plead guilty to the gross negligent operation of a vessel and the charge of the attempted destruction of an aircraft will be dismissed at sentencing.RELATED STORY:Restaurant owner indicted for steering boat toward plane in Alaska
Marion Tillion Beck owns a restaurant on the cove in a small community across from Kachemak Bay. A viral video showed Beck driving her boat extremely close to a de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 on the water on Aug. 23, 2022. The pilot, Eric Lee, is the owner of Alaska Ultimate Safaris and before the viral incident, he was taxiing back to the bay. Lee had finished flying a tour group and had seven people on board when Beck's boat began making close passes at the plane. The Alaska News Source reported that the pilot initially believed the boat operator was attempting to communicate with him, but the boat did not slow down and got so close to the plane he feared a collision could occur.
She was initially charged with one count of the attempted destruction of an aircraft, stating that Beck had knowingly and willingly attempted to interfere with the pilot with a reckless disregard for safety and human life, a charge which will be dismissed upon sentencing. The second count was for gross negligent operation, claiming Beck was operating her boat in a grossly negligent manner that endangered the life, limb or property of a person.
With the guilty plea, Beck may not withdraw from the argument or plea, except if the court rejects the agreement. Along with her plea, Beck has agreed to a 90-day maximum cap on time to serve, a fine of $25,000, an agreement to relinquish her Mariner license to the U.S. Coast Guard, an agreement for full restitution to the victim, and either a one-year period of supervised release or up to five years on probation. The Alaska News Source reported that the change of plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8.