JetBlue Flyer Arrested on Accusations of Drug Use and Sexual Harassment
Joe Cortez May 18, 2021
A JetBlue passenger could face federal charges and fines after being accused of harassing other passengers and doing drugs on the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Minneapolis, where the flyer was taken into custody and charged with possession of narcotics.
A JetBlue flyer from New York is spending time in a Minnesota jail, after being accused of doing drugs aboard the aircraft. NBC News reports 42-year-old Mark Anthony Scerbo was arrested at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on charges of possessing a narcotic, and could face additional federal charges.
Passenger Allegedly Snorted Drugs, Harassed Other Passengers
Scerbo was a passenger aboard JetBlue Flight 915 on Sunday, May 16, 2021, flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). During the flight, the passenger from Mechanicville, New York allegedly began acting aggressively and erratically towards other travelers.
According to an announcement made by flight attendants and shared on Twitter, Scerbo was accused of refusing to wear a face covering, touching another passenger in a sexually harassing way and making stabbing gestures at others. He was also reportedly snorting a white, powdery substance that was found at his seat.
In an abundance of caution, the flight was diverted to MSP, where airport police took the flyer into custody. The flight was delayed by two hours because of the unexpected stop. As of the time of writing, Scerbo remains in custody, facing Felony charges of possessing 10 grams or more of a narcotic other than heroin. He is also being held on order of the U.S. Marshal’s Office with no bail, suggesting he could also be facing future federal charges.
Incident Becomes Latest in Long List of Badly Behaved Passengers
The incident is the latest example of how badly behaved passengers are becoming a serious problem aboard commercial aircraft, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to take a “Zero Tolerance” stance against disruptive flyers. Since December 2020, the agency announced over $300,000 in fines against , with the highest being over $50,000 from a flyer accused of attempting to break into the cockpit.
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paj9zo: I didn't mean YOU - unless you're actually that guy!
@OnePatriot77 … absolutely … but as long as even those with an interest in this ‘forum’ ask … “What other ideas are there?” … I fear we’ll have to wait for the first passenger instigated ‘total loss’ before some basic common sense is forced onto the solution list.
MRM, I'm from New York, and you are a moron.
This is another passenger to add to the Do-Not-Fly list.
I’m so glad I fly cargo! No passengers trying to gang rush the cockpit, trying in vain to open a door at FL330, doing drugs, etc. Life without a hardened cockpit door (freighters don’t have them) is just fine with me!