A federal grand jury has indicted Dennis Wally Woodbury, a former California Highway Patrol captain, for allegedly engaging in lewd behavior on a JetBlue Airways flight from Florida to Los Angeles in April. The 49-year-old, previously stationed in Azusa, California, faces a single felony count of abusive sexual contact within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Woodbury’s conduct included inappropriate interactions with two male flight attendants, prompting serious allegations that warranted the attention of federal authorities.
The incident occurred on April 13, shortly after Woodbury boarded the flight in Fort Lauderdale. Reports indicate that he had been drinking heavily, consuming an entire bottle of Prosecco within a span of three hours. His behavior deteriorated from the moment he arrived on the jet, where he reportedly displayed an explicit image on his phone to one of the flight attendants. This initial action set the stage for escalating inappropriate behavior during the flight.
As the flight progressed, Woodbury’s actions became increasingly alarming. He allegedly made advances toward a second flight attendant while expressing affection in an uninvited manner. Witnesses noted that he not only slapped one attendant’s buttocks but also yelled declarations of love, exhibiting a lack of respect for personal boundaries. Following a meal service, his erratic actions continued and raised significant concern among the flight staff and passengers alike.
In a particularly shocking display of indecency, Woodbury reportedly exposed himself in the galley area of the aircraft. Despite being explicitly told that his behavior was inappropriate, he persisted in disregarding the requests of the flight crew to return to his seat. After a continued attempt to request more wine, he once again pulled down his trousers, culminating in a situation that left attendants feeling violated and anxious for their safety during the flight.
After the flight, the two flight attendants disclosed their experiences to law enforcement, emphasizing that they did not consent to Woodbury’s actions. The severity of the allegations led to his immediate indictment, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to addressing inappropriate and unlawful behavior aboard commercial airlines. JetBlue Airways has not commented on the incident, leaving some aspects of the situation still enveloped in uncertainty.
Woodbury, who appeared in federal court last month, was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on May 12 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory sentence of two years in federal prison for the charge of abusive sexual contact. This case highlights significant concerns over safety and conduct on commercial flights, as well as the repercussions of violating personal boundaries in public spaces.
