Airline Operation Manager Working On 9/11 Charged With Traveling To Pittsburgh For Sex With Woman & Girl
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) – An American Airlines operations manager who was among the few people to learn of the first 9/11 hijacking before the jet struck the World Trade Center has been arrested near Pittsburgh in an online child-sex sting.
According to the Attorney General's Office, Ray Howland, 55 of Arlington, was arrested on Friday in Moon Township as part of an undercover operation.
Detectives say Howland advertised himself online saying, "I'd love to find a mother/daughter pair (or more) of sisters, or a couple of young women that were interested in getting together for some fun tonight."
"Essentially the defendant was chatting with an undercover agent and he set up a meet for sex with a 10-year old girl," Deputy Attorney General Anthony Marmo said.
An undercover agent responded to his ad saying, "Hey 31 yo single mom with young daughter. HMU and let me (k)now what you are interested in."
Agents say Howland responded saying, "I've had a fantasy of being with a mom and daughter for a long time. I love the idea of a mom using me to teach her daughter how to please a man."
The agent responded with, "My daughter is 10, is 10 too young for you?"
Howland responded, "I'm fine with her age, as long as you both are."
During the investigation, Howland also sent explicit text messages and emails detailing the sexual activities he wished to engage in.
Howland is facing a list of charges including, criminal attempt to commit rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility.
American Airlines issued the following statement about Howland's arrest.
"American Airlines holds it's employees to the highest level of ethical standards. Employees who violate these standards are subject to disciplinary action which may include termination. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and do not intend to comment publicly out of respect for all involved."
Transcripts show Howland telling panicked Boston employees to keep quiet about the Flight 11 hijacking minutes before the jetliner struck the World Trade Center. He's mentioned in the footnotes of the 9/11 Commission report.
He is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7.
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