During a Southwest Airlines flight from Seattle to Phoenix, a man is facing federal charges after reportedly exposing himself several times in front of a female passenger.
After reportedly exposing himself many times aboard a Southwest flight, a man is facing federal charges.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Antonio Sherrodd McGarity was detained by the Phoenix Police Department after his Southwest Airlines flight 3814 landed at Sky Harbor International Airport on Saturday.
McGarity allegedly pulled down his pants and masturbated in front of a female passenger at least four times during the three-hour journey.
“McGarity was seated in seat 11F and the female witness was seated in seat 11E,” the complaint states. “Shortly after taking off, and while the aircraft was in the air, McGarity exposed his penis by pulling down his pants and shorts and began masturbating.”
“At some point during the flight, McGarity fell asleep and the female witness got up and advised the flight crew about the incident,” the complaint continues, noting that the woman took photos of McGarity. “She was moved to another seat on the aircraft.”
When the plane landed in Phoenix, investigators from the Phoenix Police Department questioned the woman, while the FBI questioned McGarity.
McGarity admitted to the actions, telling law enforcement that he knew the woman could see him but claims she put her hands in the air and told him “it really doesn’t matter” if he masturbates, which he thought was “kind of kinky,” the court documents read.
McGarity has been charged with lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior on a plane. He might be sentenced to up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of $500. McGarity’s lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment from PEOPLE.
Following the incident, Southwest announced that McGarity had been banned from flying with them for the rest of his life.
“On April 2, crewmembers received a report of inappropriate behavior during a flight from Seattle to Phoenix. Upon learning of the event, the crew immediately responded to the incident and re-seated the reporting passenger for the remainder of the flight,”
“The captain also requested that law enforcement meet the aircraft upon arrival. We immediately placed the passenger who exhibited the lewd behavior on our No-Fly List, resulting in a lifetime ban from traveling on Southwest Airlines.”
