On March 9, a passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Denver was asked several times to put on a face mask. After ignoring the orders of an air hostess, the person allegedly hit her arm. Later, other passengers revealed that the individual was getting up in his seat and urinating. The incident has now shifted to the US legal system, as the 24-year-old individual is facing charges of “Interfer with a flight crew in violation of Title 49, US Code, Article 46504.” This charge carries a potential fine of up to 20 years in prison and / or a fine of up to $ 250,000.
According to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, a man named Landon Perry Grier is charged with interfering with a flight attendant in violation of Title 49, U.S. Code, Section 46504.
Grier, a 24-year-old from Cañon City, Colorado, made his first appearance in federal court in Denver on March 11. This is where he is notified of the charge against him and is released on conditions of supervision before the trial.
Incident starts with a mask conflict
During Alaska Airlines flight AS1474 from Seattle to Denver on March 9, it is alleged that Grier ignored eight to ten requests to wear a face mask, as required by airline policy.
The affidavit, issued by a special agent of the FBI, states that the following took place after the requests:
Grier sits next to the window and looks like he’s trying to sleep. Grier ignored [the flight attendant] and then began to push her hand away and sway as she gently tried to tap his shoulder to get his attention. He then punched her two to three times in an attempt to aggressively fire her. During this incident, his strikes had actual physical contact with [the flight attendant]. ”
Suspect gets up and urinates on his seat
After this incident, passengers informed another flight attendant via the call button that Grier was urinating on his seat. A flight attendant responded, saw Grier urinating and asked him to sit down.
According to the affidavit, the flight attendant ‘Observed passenger Grier was sitting on his seat with his penis out of his pants, and she told him to put his penis back in his pants. He replied, “I have to pee.” ‘
Grier was also reported to be urinating on a paper bag carried by a fellow passenger. Passengers sitting near Grier were repeated.
‘[A flight attendant] “Passenger Grier’s actions delayed her preparation of the cockpit for landing by about ten minutes, which endangers the safety of the passengers.” the affidavit further states.
Meanwhile, the captain and first officer were dealing with an unrelated mechanical problem and were preparing to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport. The statement said that the passenger disruption occurred during a high workload environment while the flight descended over the mountains in turbulent conditions. “The disruption has led the pilot crew to divert attention from their preparation for emergency landings.”
A flight attendant then notified the captain. Flight detection data shows that with a timely arrival, the aircraft made a safe and routine landing in Denver.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado states that the investigation was conducted by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) with significant assistance from the Denver Police Department.
Alaska Airlines offered the following statement to Simple Flying:
“The safety of our guests and our crew is our top priority. We will not tolerate any disruption on board our aircraft or at any of the airports we serve. We appreciate the efforts of our dedicated teams who are committed every day to keeping travel safe and respectful. ”
Up to 20 years in prison
According to the local subsidiary of FOX News in Denver, Grier told investigators he was returning to Colorado after working at a gold mine in Alaska. Before his flight from Alaska to Seattle, Grier said he drank one beer.
During his transfer to Seattle, Grier said he had three to four extra beers and A few shots before boarding the plane to Denver. In addition, the man took an over-the-counter painkiller because he had body aches by working out.
Via the affidavit, Grier’s defense is that he ‘Fell asleep in the plane and was awakened by the air hostess who told him he was peeing. He said he had no recollection of hitting the flight attendant, nor did he know if he was peeing. ”
As already noted, Grier is charged with violating Title 49, U.S. Code, Section 46504. This charge bears the title of “Interference with flight crew members and staff ”and carries a potential fine of up to 20 years imprisonment and / or a fine of up to $ 250,000. According to Cornell’s Legal Information Institute, the following text consists of Section 46504:
“A person on an airplane in the special airplane jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating an air crew member or air hostess of the airplane, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or the servant or the ability of member or servant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspiracy to commit such act, shall be subject to fines under title 18, imprisonment for a maximum of 20 years, or both. ”
The text also notes that if a dangerous weapon is used to assault or intimidate the member or assistant, the individual will be imprisoned for any term or life sentence, which is not applicable in this situation.
If convicted, what do you think Grier should be an appropriate punishment for? Let us know what you think by commenting.