Key takeaways:
- Joseph Emerson, 44, of California, is now facing one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants in addition to 83 counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment in state court.
- Emerson told investigators he had not slept for 40 hours and believed he was having a “nervous breakdown,” and admitted to the use of psychedelic mushrooms.
- Emerson allegedly attempted to grab the handle of an emergency exit while flight attendants were detaining him and said he “tried to kill everybody,” according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors revealed new details about the off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of attempting to shut off the engines of a San Francisco-bound flight midflight. Joseph Emerson, 44, of California, is now facing one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants in addition to 83 counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment in state court.
According to a federal complaint filed Tuesday, Emerson told investigators he had not slept for 40 hours and believed he was having a “nervous breakdown.” He also admitted to the use of psychedelic mushrooms. The FBI is investigating whether Emerson was under the influence when he tried to shut down the plane’s engines while sitting in the cockpit.
A flight attendant told responding officers that Emerson said he “tried to kill everybody,” according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. Additionally, Emerson allegedly attempted to grab the handle of an emergency exit while flight attendants were detaining him.
Alaska Airlines released a statement Tuesday expressing their gratitude for the crew’s quick response and professionalism in handling the incident. The airline is cooperating with the FBI and local law enforcement in their investigation.
Emerson is currently being held in the Multnomah County Jail in Portland, Oregon. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday.
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