On March 9, a passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Denver was asked several times to put on a face mask. After ignoring the orders of a flight attendant, the individual would have hit his arm. Later, it was revealed by other passengers that the individual was standing and urinating in his seat. The incident has now been transferred to the US judicial system, as the 24-year-old faces charges of “Interfering with a flight crew in violation of Title 49, United States Code, Section 46504.” This charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and / or a fine of up to $ 250,000.
According to a statement issued by the US District Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, a man named Landon Perry Grier was accused of interfering with a flight crew in violation of Title 49 of the United States Code, Section 46504.
Grier, a 24-year-old from Cañon City, Colorado, made his first appearance at the federal court in Denver on March 11. It was there that he was informed of the charge against him and was released under supervision before the trial.
The incident begins 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 put on a face mask, as required by airline policy.
The statement, made by an FBI Special Agent, states that the following occurred after the requests:
“Grier was sitting by the window and looked like he was trying to sleep. Grier ignored [the flight attendant] and then he started pushing and pushing her hand away while trying to pat her shoulder gently to get her attention. Then he hit her on the arm two to three times in an attempt to aggressively dismiss her. During this incident, his attacks resulted in real physical contact with [the flight attendant]. “
Suspect gets up and urinates in his seat
After this incident, passengers notified a different flight attendant via the call button that Grier was urinating in his seat. A flight attendant replied, saw Grier urinating and asked him to sit down.
According to the statement, the flight attendant “He watched passenger Grier sitting in 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.’ “
It was also reported that Grier urinated in a paper bag that a passenger was carrying. Passengers sitting near Grier were replaced.
“[A flight attendant] Grier’s declared passenger actions delayed his preparation of the aircraft’s cabin for landing for approximately ten minutes, putting the safety of passengers at risk ”. the statement goes on to say.
Meanwhile, the captain and the first officer were dealing with an unrelated mechanical problem and preparing to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport. The statement states that the passenger interruption occurred during a high workload environment, while the flight was descending over the mountains in turbulent conditions. “The interruption caused the pilot’s crew to divert attention away from their preparation for emergency landing.”
A flight attendant notified the captain. Flight tracking data shows that the aircraft made a safe and routine landing in Denver with an on-time arrival.
The US District Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado says the investigation was conducted by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) with substantial 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 disturbance on board our aircraft or at any of the airports we serve. We appreciate the efforts of our dedicated teams, who are committed each day to keeping travel safe and respectful. “
Up to 20 years in prison
According to the local FOX News affiliate in Denver, Grier told investigators that he was returning to Colorado after working at an Alaskan gold mine. Before his flight from Alaska to Seattle, Grier said he drank a beer.
During his transfer in Seattle, Grier said he had three to four additional beers and “Some shots” before boarding the plane to Denver. In addition, the man took an over-the-counter pain reliever because he had pain in his body from work.
Through the testimony, Grier’s defense is that he “He fell asleep on the plane and I woke up to the screams of the flight attendants who told him he was urinating. He stated that he did not remember hitting the flight attendant and did not know if he was peeing. “
As noted earlier, Grier is accused of violating Title 49, United States Code, Section 46504. This charge carries the title “Interference with flight crew members and flight attendants ”and carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and / or a fine of up to $ 250,000. According to the Cornell Legal Information Institute, the following text comprises Section 46504:
“An individual on an aircraft in the United States’ special aircraft jurisdiction who, by assaulting or intimidating an aircraft crew member or flight attendant, interferes with the performance of the member’s or flight attendant’s functions or impairs the member’s or chaperone’s ability to perform those functions, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, will be fined under title 18, imprisoned for no more than 20 years, or both. ”
The text also notes that if a dangerous weapon is used to attack or intimidate the member or companion, the individual should be imprisoned for any period of years or life, which would not be applicable in this situation.
If found guilty, what do you think should be an appropriate penalty for Grier? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment.