Federal authorities have arrested Eric Nicholas Gapco, a 26-year-old from Delanco, (US) New Jersey. They reported that he caused a disturbance on American Airlines flight 2101 from Seattle to Dallas on July 18. This led to an emergency landing in Utah.
During the flight, Gapco is said to have acted erratically. He eventually removed his shirt and shouted through a vape pen; this was stated by authorities and reports. There were also claims that he made sexual advances towards a US flight attendant.
According to federal officials, the disruptive passenger also attacked one of the crew members and tried “multiple times” to open the plane’s outside doors.
A video clip allegedly shows the topless Gapco screaming “I am sane!” while being restrained by four or five flight attendants near the aircraft’s restroom as obtained by KSLTV. Arriving at Salt Lake City International Airport, it is alleged that Gapco spat on an officer and broke a glass door during his arrest according to prosecutors.
He also allegedly attempted to give unidentified pills in a baggie to another passenger during the trip based on what prosecutors said.
The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Salt Lake City Police Department are investigating this incident as per sources. At his detention hearing, prosecutors wrote that Gapco “remained belligerent” with “hospital staff and law enforcement.”