Diplomatic Security Special Agents Return Stolen Cessna From Cuba

Contact: Ed Moreno
Special Agent in Charge
Miami Field Office
305-536-5781
MorenoEP@state.gov

Stolen Airplane Returned

Diplomatic Security Special Agents Diana Latham and Greg Witzel with stolen Cessna aircraft that they returned Nov. 10, 2006 from Cuba, where a fugitive had landed the plane with his son.

Today, due to the efforts of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, the airplane, a Cessna 172 Hawk XP, stolen by David Ray Franklin on September 30, 2006, has been returned to the United States.

Diplomatic Security's Miami Field Office dispatched two special agents to fly the airplane back to the United States from Varadero, Cuba. The aircraft returned to Key West Naval Air Station where it will remain as evidence in an on-going criminal investigation.

Franklin, who fled to Cuba with his son, was returned to the United States on October 27, 2006. On the same day, the son was returned to his mother, the custodial parent.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security has worked closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, and the Joint Inter-agency Task Force-South of the U.S. Southern Command, to return the fugitive, David Ray Franklin, and the stolen Cessna back to the United States.

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Ambassador Richard J. Griffin, said, "This case illustrates the unique abilities of Diplomatic Security to perform extraordinary law enforcement activities overseas. DSS continues to excel in tracking down and bringing back U.S. fugitives from justice around the world."

"Diplomatic Security's Miami Field Office maintains an excellent working relationship with all law enforcement personnel, thus enabling the capture and return of both fugitive and airplane," said Joe D. Morton, Director of the Diplomatic Security Service, "It's this type of close, worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability."