A U.S. deputy marshal, en route to London to facilitate the extradition of a criminal defendant, has been apprehended by British authorities on allegations that the Marshal detained had been sexually abusing a female passenger during a Delta Airlines flight, as per information from four law enforcement officials.
The incident unfolded on a Delta flight departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City to London. The female passenger reported inappropriate touching by the federal marshal to the flight crew. Delta Airlines confirmed the occurrence, citing unruly passenger behavior during the flight.
According to two law enforcement sources, both federal marshals had consumed alcohol during the flight. While one marshal faced charges, the second was returned to New York without facing any legal consequences. The deputies, assigned to the Eastern District of New York, were heading to London to apprehend a suspect facing federal fraud-related charges in Brooklyn.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police in London disclosed that their officers at Heathrow Airport were alerted to the marshal’s alleged sexual assault on passengers and crew during the flight. The 39-year-old marshal was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and remains in custody.
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The U.S. Marshals Service acknowledged the inappropriate behavior of the officer while intoxicated on the inbound flight. The service expressed cooperation with U.K. law enforcement and other agencies, emphasizing that the alleged actions of the individuals involved do not reflect the professionalism and core values of the U.S. Marshals Service.