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RJ Aviation pilot indicted on sexual abuse of minor charges

The case against Robert J. May, 40, has been transferred to Anchorage.

KDLG: Robert Joseph May, the 40-year-old air traffic controller and air taxi operator from King Salmon, has now been indicted on five counts of second degree sexual abuse of a minor. (The state listed his age as 37 after his arrest, now changing it to 40 following the indictment.)

“He was indicted by a grand jury in Anchorage," said assistant district attorney James Klugman, who explained that the case has now been transferred to Anchorage. "The case is proceeding under a different case number, that’s why if you just look on courtview, the original case shows up as dismissed. But those charges are still in place, they’re just in place under a different docket number.”

May remains in custody, with bail terms set at $100,000 cash performance and a court approved third party custodian. 

May is a contract air traffic controller with Serco and has worked at the King Salmon tower since 2008.  The company has not confirmed whether or not he has been fired. Around 2011 May started an air taxi under the name RJ Aviation, and owns and operates two aircraft.  

The state alleges Robert May engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl on several occasions, in King Salmon and in Anchorage, and at least twice while he was piloting an aircraft.

Since the disturbing charges were made public, several have contacted KDLG to say that they believe May was engaged in other criminal activity, or may have had a history of similar behavior.

“What I can say, again, to the extent anybody has information about Mr. May that they think we should be aware while we’re prosecuting the case, I would urge them to get in touch with the state troopers in King Salmon," said Klugman. "As far as what information we’re actually going to be presenting in court, that’s not really something that I’m really able to comment on at this time. Other than to say that we do very much look forward to presenting this case in court and telling this story at that time.”

The state trooper investigation began last summer, and continued through the spring. At least one other woman said May made inappropriate advances at her during a flight from King Salmon to Anchorage.

If convicted on the charges he has been indicted on, May faces up to 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Reach the author at dave@kdlg.org or 907-842-5281.