Authorities in Burlington County, New Jersey, have filed charges against a disruptive and potentially violent passenger who allegedly acted out on an American Airlines flight.
On July 18, American Airlines Flight #2101 from Seattle to Dallas had an incident with a man who was apparently unaware of the airline’s zero-tolerance rule for disruptions and the power of gummies.
After 26-year-old Eric Nicholas Gapco of Delanco, New Jersey, attacked and threatened a flight attendant and other members of the aircraft crew, the flight was forced to divert to Salt Lake City, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
On board the plane, Gapco allegedly tried to open the outer door many times, vaped, made inappropriate advances to a flight attendant, and refused to remain seated, according to investigators.
Gapco also locked himself in the restroom.
According to the feds who detained him, the disturbed New Jersey tourist ate too many edible cannabis products. His initial denial of drug use was subsequently contradicted when he admitted to consuming “about ten marijuana edibles” without knowing their potency.
The report also stated that Gapco removed his shirt and started smoking on a vape pen while shouting, striking, and making lewd remarks.
At one point, while trying to enter the cockpit, Gapco yelled out, “I am sane!”
Flight attendants restrained his wrists and feet when he refused to sit down, and the pilot made the emergency landing in Salt Lake City.
Prosecutors say Gapco also attempted to give a bag of unknown medications to another passenger on the plane.
While being detained at Salt Lake City International Airport, Gapco spat on an officer and shattered a glass door.
Prosecutors said he continued to be belligerent and combative with medical staff and the police, so they decided to jail him.
The Salt Lake City Police Department and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office are investigating the case.
