Deputy US marshal, 39, is arrested in the UK after ‘drunken sexual assault of woman’ on board Delta flight from JFK
- A 39-year-old deputy was accused of sexually assaulting at least one woman
- He and the other deputy had been drinking during the flight, authorities said
- Two marshals were on their way to London to extradite a suspect on fraud charges
A deputy US marshal, 39, was arrested in Britain after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a Delta flight from New York City to London.
The federal marshal, who has not been identified, allegedly “acted inappropriately toward at least one woman on board,” according to law enforcement officials.
The unnamed marshal was one of two who flew from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport to London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday to extradite a criminal defendant.
This was reported by two law enforcement sources NBC that the two federal marshals had been drinking during the flight.
The second deputy was also briefly detained and later returned to the U.S. without charges Wednesday evening, authorities said.
A deputy US marshal, 39, was arrested in Britain after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a Delta flight from New York City to London
The unnamed marshal was one of two who flew from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport to London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday to extradite a criminal defendant.
A female passenger, who has not been named, complained to the Delta Airlines flight crew from New York to London that she had been “touched inappropriately.”
A spokesperson for Delta Airlines confirmed in a statement: “Due to unruly passenger behavior during the flight, Delta Flight 1, JFK to London Heathrow, was met by local police upon landing.”
The two deputies were on their way to London to return a suspect wanted in Brooklyn on federal fraud charges.
The Metropolitan Police in London said in a statement that their officers at Heathrow Airport became aware of the incident at 6.30am on Wednesday.
Officers in London confirmed the 39-year-old marshal was arrested after “sexually assaulting other passengers and crew.”
The marshal is charged with assault and remains in custody, police said.
Two law enforcement sources said the two federal marshals had been drinking during the flight
The U.S. Marshals said in a statement that the agency was aware that the officer “exhibited inappropriate behavior while intoxicated on an inbound flight.”
The agency added that it takes allegations of misconduct by its employees seriously and is cooperating with investigations by British law enforcement agencies and other agencies.
“The U.S. Marshals Service takes all allegations of misconduct by its employees seriously,” the agency said.
'The employees' alleged actions do not reflect the professionalism of the USMS' thousands of employees or its core values.'”