A JetBlue Airlines passenger was charged in federal court Tuesday after allegations that he assaulted a flight attendant by inappropriately touching her while she collected trash.
Robert Thomas Kernan, a 54-year-old Denver resident, was arrested Sunday after the Saturday night flight arrived at Denver International Airport from Boston. He is charged with interfering with the flight crew, abusive sexual contact and simple assault.
Kernan bought one beer after he boarded the plane, according to the arrest affidavit.
He asked for a second beer, but did not have enough cash, the court record says.
The flight attendant was doing a final walk-through collecting trash when Kernan reached between her legs and touched her genitals through her slacks, and then dragged his hands across her buttocks, the affidavit says.
“She yelled at Kernan that his actions were inappropriate, she was having security contacted to have him arrested and that he was disgusting,” the affidavit says.
“Kernan looked away and said two times, ‘It was just a misunderstanding.”‘
A woman Kernan was sitting next to told the FBI she moved her 3-year-old son to sit between her and Kernan in an effort to get away from him.
“Kernan then reached over her sleeping son and grabbed her right arm three times,” the affidavit says. “Each time, (the woman) told Kernan to stop touching her.”
