Ken Air LLC: Fairbanks charter pilot gets 3 days for allowing beer on flight to dry community

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — A charter pilot who allowed a passenger to bring cans of beer on a flight to a dry village will serve three days in jail.

Judge Patrick Hammers also fined Ken Jouppi $1,500 for importing alcohol. The beer equaled about seven gallons of alcohol.

A court hearing will be held later whether the state will confiscate his Cessna 206, though Hammers said it should be seized to send a message to other aircraft operators.

In addition, Jouppi's corporation, Ken Air LLC, a Fairbanks air charter, was also fined $1,500.

Jouppi's lawyers argued said their client wasn't aware of what was in the groceries being placed on the flight to Beaver. However, state prosecutors said Jouppi is the charter of choice for bootleggers because of his "don't ask, don't tell" policy.