Allegedly Consuming Halusinogen And Rescue The Crew Of The Aircraft, This Male Passenger Is Secured By The FBI
JAKARTA - A passenger suspected of using psilocybin, a cryogen chemical found in certain mushrooms, before boarding United Airlines flights in Miami, United States was arrested after allegedly attacking two crew members.
Cherruy Loghan Sevilla was charged with disturbing the flight crew and attacking two flight attendants, according to court documents.
The incident on October 4 took place on a United Airlines flight 2116 from Miami International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport, United States.
Sevilla defender Shannon Quill said "our office policy is not to comment on the case," reported CNN Oct. 16.
"Sevilla roamed around the plane, ran up and down the hall, applauded loudly near the cockpit and shouted dirty words," according to a written statement by an FBI agent filed in US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Sevilla was arrested when the plane landed and taken to the Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Dulles. During an interview a few hours after his arrest, Sevilla told investigators he had used psilocybin before boarding the plane, a written statement said.
Sevilla allegedly said it was not the first time he had used the drug.
"Sevilla said he was not completely surprised that he acted like this after eating it. Sevilla stated that he was sorry for his actions," explained the affidevit.
Separately, according to the United States Narcotics Agency (DEA), psilocybin - which is a banned substance - causes hallucinations for several hours and a large number, can cause panic attacks and psychosis.
A written statement said Sevilla also broke a piece of plastic from the door when he opened the locked bathroom while it was being occupied.
A father and daughter on the same row as Sevilla said she was "not true." They said Sevilla grabbed his daughter's arm, according to a written statement.
At one point, Sevilla lay on the floor and when a flight attendant told him to sit down, he jumped and attacked a flight attendant, a written statement said. Sevilla allegedly twisted the arm of another flight attendant as the flight attendant tried to hold him.
Passengers, flight attendants and law enforcement officers on board were finally able to arrest Sevilla, and the officer managed to handheld one of his wrists, while he resisted, a written statement said.
Law enforcement officers and a flight attendant guarded him for the remainder of the flight, while Sevilla allegedly shouted unclear things.
United Airlines said it had examined its crew members after the incident.
"We want to thank our crew for handling this difficult situation professionally," the airline said in a statement.