Fired deputy charged with crimes had troubled past in law enforcementNew resolution could help fend off FEMA’s threat to pull flood insurance discount
Brian Machtemes, 54. More than 100 passengers were stranded overnight at Southwest Florida International Airport after their pilot was arrested. Brian Machtemes, 54, had a KEL-TEC .380 pistol loaded with 6 rounds packed in the front of his bag, according to a police report. X-ray operators saw the gun and when questioned he said he forgot the weapon was in his bag. Machtemes was licensed to have the gun in his home state, Minnesota, but not in Florida, police said. The Sun Country Airlines flight was supposed to leave at 11:40 a.m. and was canceled after the arrest. WINK News reached out to Sun Country Airlines and they gave us the following statement: “We’re aware of the situation involving one of our pilots at the Fort Myers Airport and are in contact with local law enforcement. We are in the process of gathering information on what occurred. Right now, our focus is on taking care of our passengers. This evening’s flight from RSW to MSP has been rescheduled to depart tomorrow morning at 11:40 a.m. We have provided hotels for tonight, as well as meal vouchers and a $200 flight voucher as a token of our apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.”