The Springfield Township pilot accused of flying a private plane flew too close to the press box of a YSU home football game more than three years ago found himself in jail this weekend.

Christopher Wilkinson, 33, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on charges of inducing panic and disorderly conduct on Friday according to jail records.

It was November 2, 2022 that Youngstown Municipal Judge Carla Baldwin issued a warrant for Wilkinson’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for a trial on those charges, as well as a misdemeanor charge of unsafe operation of an aircraft.

At the time, Wilkinson’s attorney told judge Baldwin that his client did not appear because they needed more time to discuss the case since another lawyer who was acting as co-counsel withdrew from the case. Judge Baldwin said that the discussion should have taken place before the scheduled trial date.

In November 2019, authorities charged Wilkinson after he allegedly flew a single-engine Cessna close to the press box and Stambaugh stadium lights while fans were watching the September 28 game against Robert Morris.

Prosecutors said Wilkinson flew well below 1000 feet above ground level.

Wilkinson’s lawyer has claimed that it should have been up to the Federal Aviation Administration to prosecute Wilkinson, not the city. Judge Baldwin denied that claim earlier.

According to FAA records, Wilkinson is a commercial pilot licensed to fly private planes and land multi-engine aircraft.