You are correct. Pilots don't even have ramp access unless it is the aircraft's footprint for the purposes of completing an exterior preflight or proceeding directly to operations. Therefore, this FA broke Federal law. If the US attorney files charges, he will be convicted. If convicted, the judge will probably agree with no jail time, but he will forever be a convicted felon. As such, no more access to the secure areas of an airport. So no more jobs in aviation. And the best part...no more voting.

Carl