An American Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly exposed himself and urinated on the aisle, authorities said.
Neil McCarthy, 25, of Oregon, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in connection with the alleged incident on July 3, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York. He was released after making his first court appearance that day, according to the release.
In a statement to PEOPLE, American Airlines said American Eagle Flight 3921, operated by Envoy Air, was traveling from Chicago to Manchester, NH, when it made an emergency landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport “due to a disruptive customer.”
Police then boarded the plane and spoke with a flight attendant, who claimed the man exposed himself and urinated in the aisle during the flight, according to the criminal complaint reviewed by PEOPLE. Authorities then escorted the man — later identified as McCarthy — off the plane and questioned him.
McCarthy allegedly told police during questioning that he liked to drink “Jack and Cokes” and that he drank several before boarding his flight in Portland, Oregon, and then several more during his stopover in Chicago, the complaint said.
A man appears to have been rescued from an overhead bin after experiencing extreme turbulence in flight, injuring dozens
Want to keep up with the latest crime reports? Sign up for PEOPLE’free True Crime newsletter for the latest crime news, follow up on ongoing trials and details on intriguing unsolved cases.
McCarthy also claimed that when he returned to his seat after using the bathroom on the flight to New Hampshire, he “swirled his beans” because of a “medical urinary problem,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit further states that police obtained a photo taken by a passenger in which McCarthy allegedly exposed himself on the plane.
According to American Airlines, the flight took off again shortly after the emergency landing. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our clients for their understanding,” the statement said.
Records show McCarthy is expected to appear in court for a hearing to appoint an attorney on July 25.
PEOPLE reached out to the public defender listed for McCarthy on his online court filing, but did not immediately hear back.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, McCarthy faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education