An Oregon man was arrested after he exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of an airplane during an American Airlines flight to Manchester, N.H., federal prosecutors said.
After the alleged incident, the flight was diverted to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York, Trini Ross, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, said in a statement.
The passenger, 25-year-old Neil McCarthy, was arrested Wednesday shortly after the flight landed, according to Ross. He’s charged with indecent exposure, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
An American Airlines spokesperson confirmed the flight was diverted to Buffalo “due to a disruptive customer.” American Eagle flight 3921, operated by Envoy Air, was flying from Chicago to Manchester.
“The aircraft was met by law enforcement upon arrival at [Buffalo International] and re-departed shortly after,” the spokesperson told the Daily News.
According to the criminal complaint, McCarthy told investigators he had several whiskey and colas before boarding the flight from Portland, Oregon, and then drank some more during a layover in Chicago.
He reportedly told officers he had a medical urination problem. He said he got up to use the restroom, adding the alleged incident happened when he was coming back to his seat.
McCarthy appeared Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy. He has since been released, authorities said.
With News Wire Services