United Express pilot charged with flying drunk

(CBS/AP) DENVER - A pilot for United Express is accused of flying while drunk on a December 2009 flight from Austin to Denver.

A federal grand jury indicted 32-year-old Aaron Jason Cope Wednesday. He's charged with unlawfully operating and directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol.

The indictment says the incident occurred on a Dec. 8, 2009 United Express flight. Cope, who's from Norfolk, Va., was second-in-command, serving as the co-pilot.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, Jeff Dorschner, wouldn't elaborate on if or how much time Cope spent at the controls. Cope faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Federal agents were trying to find him.