In a startling incident at Martin State Airport, a man with a history of prior arrests attempted to steal a private aircraft. The incident unfolded when pilot TJ Turban arrived at the airport to prepare for a flight, only to find an unexpected and alarming situation in the cockpit of a Gulfstream G4 aircraft.
Upon arriving for his flight, Turban noticed something was amiss. As he approached the aircraft, he was shocked to see a man sitting in the left seat of the cockpit, wearing a headset. This individual was not his co-pilot, and it quickly became clear that an unauthorized person had accessed the aircraft. The plane in question, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group Executive Chairman David Smith, had its auxiliary power unit (APU) running, and the doors were all closed—a situation Turban noted as being highly unusual.
Quick Response from Airport Security and Authorities
Recognizing the severity of the situation, Turban immediately contacted airport security, who in turn called 911. Despite the quick response from airport security, the suspect managed to flee the scene briefly. Turban was able to detain the man for a short period, but the individual, later identified as 43-year-old Joseph Goldman, managed to evade capture momentarily. Turban recalled how Goldman “started to scurry around” before disappearing from view.
However, the attempt to escape was short-lived. Baltimore County Police arrived on the scene promptly and later apprehended Goldman. This bizarre incident left even seasoned professionals like Turban stunned, with the pilot remarking, “In my whole career in aviation, I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Suspect’s Criminal Past
The man at the center of this attempted theft, Joseph Goldman, is no stranger to law enforcement. This is not the first time his name has made headlines. Back in 2016, Fox 45 News reported on Goldman’s arrest for the sexual abuse of a child. According to investigators at the time, Goldman had sexually abused the child for several years. Additionally, during that arrest, law enforcement discovered multiple illegal firearms in his possession, including a silencer. This led to the involvement of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Goldman was subsequently sentenced to one year in federal prison for these offenses.
The 2016 case painted a dark picture of Goldman’s criminal activities, and his recent actions only added to the gravity of his criminal record. Although there is no direct evidence linking Goldman to terrorist activities, the possibility of what could have happened if he had been armed and taken control of the plane has raised significant concerns.
Investigation and Arrest
Following his arrest, Maryland State Police launched a full investigation into Goldman’s actions, trying to piece together a motive for his attempted theft of the Gulfstream G4. As part of their investigation, they searched Goldman’s vehicle, which he had driven to the airport. There were concerns that he might have been in possession of explosives or other dangerous materials, but the search did not yield any such findings.
Although no explosives were discovered, the situation could have taken a much more dangerous turn. As authorities pieced together the events, it was revealed that Goldman had made significant progress in his attempt to steal the plane. The right engine of the aircraft was found to be leaking fuel, and when investigators examined the cockpit, they discovered that Goldman had taken multiple steps toward starting the aircraft. He had turned on the fuel boost pumps and moved the HP (high-pressure) fuel lever to the start position. However, he had overlooked one crucial switch that would have fully started the engine, which ultimately prevented the plane from taking off.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Joseph Goldman now faces a series of charges related to the incident, including theft, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, trespassing, and entering a restricted area. Given the seriousness of the charges and his prior criminal record, Goldman is being held without bond. His court date has been scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday, where he will face the full weight of the legal system.
While authorities continue their investigation into Goldman’s motives, it is clear that a major crisis was narrowly avoided. The combination of quick thinking by pilot TJ Turban, swift action from airport security, and the rapid response from Baltimore County Police helped prevent what could have been a potentially disastrous situation.
As the case unfolds, Maryland State Police and other authorities will continue to search for answers as to why Goldman attempted to steal the plane and what his ultimate intentions were. For now, residents and airport officials alike are breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that this strange and dangerous episode came to a close without harm to anyone involved.
