A man who said he ate about 10 marijuana edibles faces charges for alleged unruly behavior on an American Airlines flight last month, according to court documents and a news release from the US Attorney’s Office.
Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, of New Jersey is accused of propositioning a flight attendant for sex, vaping, locking himself in the bathroom and attempting to open the plane’s exterior doors multiple times during the flight, according to the statement shared Wednesday.
Gapco’s July 18 American Airlines flight from Seattle to Dallas was diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport because of his “disruptive and life-threatening behavior,” according to the release.
Initially, Gapco told arresting officers he had not taken drugs, then later said he had eaten about 10 marijuana edibles and was unsure of their THC content, according to court documents. Gapco may have self-reported PTSD and reportedly tried to give another passenger a bag of unknown pills, records show.
He was restrained with plastic handcuffs.
Gapco is also accused of failing to follow instructions to remain in his seat, being repeatedly loud, and bothering other passengers. Gapco’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.
Crew members and other passengers restrained Gapco with plastic handcuffs on his feet and hands, according to the release. He was arrested when the plane landed in Salt Lake City.
“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority,” American Airlines told The Dallas Morning News in an emailed statement. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.”
He reportedly caused more mayhem at the airport.
At the airport, Gapco allegedly broke the glass of his holding cell and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, according to a Salt Lake County affidavit. Records allege he continuously screamed at nurses, doctors and others, using several obscenities, and spit in an officer’s face.
Gapco faces a misdemeanor and two felony charges for his alleged actions at the airport, according to court records, and his bail was set at $2,000. He was booked in Salt Lake County jail on July 19, records show.
For his alleged actions on the plane, a federal grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging Gapco for alleged interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft, according to the release.
Gapco was scheduled to appear in court Thursday in Salt Lake City and the case will be prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office and Salt Lake City police, according to the release.
-by Lilly Kersh
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