MIAMI – An American who returned from Cuba to face U.S. charges that he hijacked an airliner to Havana decades ago will not be released on bail before his trial.
A Miami federal magistrate ruled Tuesday that 56-year-old William Potts is a risk to flee prosecution and is a danger to the community. Potts is also charged in a 1984 New Jersey armed robbery.
Potts was convicted in Cuba of the 1984 hijacking of a New York-to-Miami Piedmont Airlines flight. Potts has pleaded not guilty to U.S. air piracy charges, which carry a prison sentence of between 20 years and life.
Potts' attorney says he returned from Cuba earlier this month to resolve the U.S. charges. Potts hopes to get credit for the 13-plus years he served in a Cuban prison.
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