An Texarkana teen accused of attempting to steal a plane from Texarkana Regional Airport on the 4th of July to attend a rap concert was ordered to undergo a competency evaluation Tuesday by a judge in Miller County, Ark.
Zemarcuis Devon Scott, 18, was allegedly seen hopping a fence at the airport at about 2:30 a.m. by security personnel who called Texarkana, Ark., police. Airport staff reported seeing the man trying to open the door of an American Eagle twin-engine commercial jet, according to court records. By the time police arrived, the man had gained entrance to the plane and closed the door.
Of the officers who responded to the early morning emergency call, two recognized Scott from “past encounters.” When a flashlight was shone into the plane’s cockpit, Scott was allegedly sitting in the pilot’s chair. Scott allegedly told Texarkana, Ark., police that he planned to fly to Chicago in hopes of seeing rapper Famous Dex and wasn’t concerned about his lack of flight training.
Scott appeared before Miller County Circuit Judge Brent Haltom late Tuesday afternoon. Managing Public Defender Jason Mitchell asked the judge to order a psychological evaluation of Scott to determine if he was competent at the time of the alleged offense and whether he is competent to proceed to trial.
Last month, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Black filed charges of commercial burglary and attempted theft of property over $25,000 against Scott. Both crimes are punishable by three to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Scott is being held in the Miller County jail with bond set at $25,000.
