Thornton Man Arrested at Denver International Airport After Abusive Sexual Contact with Flight Attendant on Spirit Airlines

DENVER—Evan Nathaniel Castle, age 24, of Thornton, Colorado, was arrested Friday on charges of abusive sexual contact after groping a Spirit Airlines flight attendant, United States Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven Olson announced. Castle appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver this afternoon, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, obtained today, Monday, April 8, 2013, Castle was a passenger on Spirit Airlines Flight 562 en route from Las Vegas, Nevada to Denver International Airport. During the flight Castle was served several alcoholic drinks. He then became loud and used profane language. Ultimately, one of the flight attendants told Castle to stop using vulgar language and to quiet down. He refused and commented that he should date the flight attendant.

As another flight attendant was walking down the aisle of the aircraft, Castle told her she was beautiful. He then told her to “blow off work and come with me.” The flight attendant ignored the comments. As she passed his row, Castle deliberately groped the right cheek of her buttocks and said, “Oh, sexy.” This made the flight attendant not want to walk past his seat. The flight attendant that was groped then told the other flight attendant that Castle had “grabbed her butt.”

If convicted, Castle faces not more than two years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Castle is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Allison, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.

A criminal complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a federal felony crime has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver.

The charges contained in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Update

The crime (abusive sexual contact) took place on Friday, April 5, 2013, aboard Spirit Airlines Flight #562, which landed at DIA at 11:56 a.m. Castle was arrested at that time and was held in custody over the weekend pending the filing of charges, which took place Monday, April 8, 2013. Castle appeared in court this afternoon before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. At that hearing, Castle was released on a personal recognizance bond, with the conditions that he cannot drink alcohol while his case is pending and that he cannot fly on commercial aircraft while his case is pending. He is next due in court on May 6, 2013, for a preliminary hearing.