Had Been Convicted Of Misdemeanor Alcohol Importation Into Dry Communities

The State of Alaska is fighting an ongoing battle to try to force the forfeiture of an airplane belonging to charter company Ken Air LLC after it was seized in connection with the illegal importation of alcohol.

The airplane, a Cessna 206, was taken after one of the company's co-owners, Ken Jouppi, was convicted of illegally importing alcohol in to communities where it is prohibited. But in December, Judge Patrick Hammers ruled that Jouppi should not have to give up the airplane as part of his sentence.

The Alaska News-Miner newspaper reports that prosecutors with the state Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals have filed three appeals in the case. They say that Jouppi should be required to give up the airplane, and that there is an ongoing investigation into a second, similar case involving the charter operator. They say he routinely allows alcohol to be transported on his airplanes by passengers into communities where it is prohibited.

Jouppi is appealing his conviction, which carries a three-day jail sentence and $3,000 fine.

(Cessna 206 pictured in file photo. Not disputed airplane)

FMI: www.law.state.ak.us