Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 18, 1993 TAG: 9312180168
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Rodney E. Bocook, 27, is charged with using his own aviation transmitter to give bogus instructions to pilots approaching and leaving Roanoke Regional Airport.
A phony air-controller, who allegedly referred to himself as the Roanoke Phantom, made both official-sounding commands and obscenity-filled comments, according to court records.
The phantom's voice interrupted the aviation airwaves on a regular basis, but its source remained a mystery during a seven-week period in August and September.
Since Bocook was arrested in late September, defense attorney Tony Anderson has raised questions about his client's mental condition.
In an order entered Friday, U.S. District Judge James Turk ruled that a psychiatric evaluation is "critical to the presentation of an adequate defense."
Bocook will be evaluated at the government's expense before his trial, scheduled to begin Jan. 20. The Roanoke resident faces up to 22 years in prison.
According to an affidavit filed earlier, Bocook is accused of using a radio - apparently purchased by mail - to order incoming flights to change altitudes, switch radio frequencies or break off landings at the last minute. Officials suspect the transmissions were made from both a house and a car.
Federal Aviation Administration officials have said the false instructions could have created a midair collision. However, authorities said it usually became obvious to pilots and air traffic controllers that the instructions were fake, and the transmissions did not cause any near-accidents.
by CNB