California Man Arrested After Disrupting JetBlue Flight

DENVER—Gregory Meyer, age 47, of Studio City, California, was arrested early this morning by the FBI after committing a disturbance on a JetBlue flight, United States Attorney John Walsh, and FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced. Meyer is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Denver today at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig B. Shaffer, where he will be advised of his rights as well as the charges pending against him. He is expected to be released on bond.

Meyer is charged with two counts of simple assault by offensive touching of two passengers on Jet Blue flight 358, which was en route from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, New York. Because of Meyer’s assaultive behavior and his failure to obey flight attendants, the captain of JetBlue flight 358 diverted the plane to Denver International Airport. The plane was then met by Denver Police officers. The defendant was placed into federal custody and transported to the Denver City Jail.

Court records indicate that Meyer smelled of alcohol and was loud when he boarded the flight. He stroked one female passenger’s arm and grabbed her waist and tried to grab her hand. She was seated next to him but across the aisle. Meyer also grabbed the head of another female passenger who was seated in front of him. Flight attendants did not serve Meyer alcohol because he was visibly drunk from vodka he brought on board. Law enforcement found out later Meyer also took an Ambien sleeping pill.

Meyer faces not more than six months’ imprisonment and up to a $5,000 fine per count.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Denver Police Department.

Meyer is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hosley.

A criminal complaint is a probable cause charging document. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.