Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. revealed the unsealing of a criminal complaint against Gerald McErlean, 46, from Lockport, NY, for an offense under Title 49 of the United States Code – performing a lewd act aboard an aircraft. The charge could see McErlean serve up to 90 days in prison and pay a $5,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil reported that on March 8, 2017, McErlean exposed himself and masturbated during a Southwest Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Buffalo. Witnessed by two women, who attempted to shield a toddler from the scene, McErlean ceased his behavior upon being confronted.
Another passenger alerted the flight crew, resulting in McErlean’s relocation to the back of the aircraft. Upon landing in Buffalo, McErlean was arrested by Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police.
In court today, McErlean made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder and was released on bail for a detention hearing scheduled for March 17, 2017.
The charges stem from an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and supported by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police and the Amherst Police Department.
It is important to note that a defendant has been charged with a crime does not constitute guilt. McErlean is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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