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Worker May Be Military Copter Vandal

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The Associated Press

Published: May 21, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - An assembly line worker charged with vandalizing a military helicopter at a Boeing plant was upset about a job transfer and cut a bundle of about 70 electrical wires during his last shift on the Chinook line, federal investigators said Tuesday.

Matthew Kevin Montgomery, 33, of Trevose, had worked at the plant near Philadelphia for about 18 months before his arrest Monday, nine days after the H-47 Chinook aircraft was disabled.

Authorities say he is not currently a suspect in a separate act of vandalism on another helicopter at the plant.

Montgomery continued to work at the plant, where he made $19.10 an hour working the second shift, until meeting with federal investigators Monday, when he allegedly acknowledged the crime.

U.S. Magistrate Henry Perkin agreed at a hearing Tuesday to release Montgomery on $25,000 bail and ordered him to live with his parents in Southampton, undergo a mental health exam, and have no contact with Boeing or its employees.

"He's very concerned and very remorseful," public defender Mara Meehan said. "He's been pretty upset, which is one reason why concerns have been raised about mental health."

The production line was shut down early last week after the vandalism was discovered by workers inside the Ridley Park plant. Federal officials handed out fliers to workers, offering a $5,000 reward for information.

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