BUFFALO – A man was arrested Wednesday after federal authorities say he urinated in the aisle of an American Airlines flight flying from Chicago to New Hampshire but was diverted to land in Buffalo.
Neil McCarthy Arrested on American Airlines Flight
Neil McCarthy, a 25-year-old Oregon man, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure following the incident on a flight from Chicago to New Hampshire.
The charge could result in up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Flight diverted to Buffalo Niagra International Airport
The plane, which was supposed to go to Manchester, New Hampshire, landed at Buffalo Niagara International Airport instead.
A Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA) police officer boarded the plane and spoke with the flight attendant, who described the incident. McCarthy was subsequently arrested and removed from the plane.
After McCarthy was removed from the plane, the flight continued to New Hampshire.
Neil McCarthy appears before US magistrate
After being taken into custody, McCarthy made his first appearance before a U.S. police judge, after which he was released on his own recognizance.
“The fact that a suspect is charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the Justice Department said in a press release.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is located about an hour north of Boston. American Airlines is one of seven airlines that fly out of the New Hampshire airport.
There is currently no further information available about the incident.
