JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Virginia man is now in jail in connection with a dramatic outburst authorities said took place on a JetBlue flight Sunday night.
Joseph Sharkey, 36, made his initial court appearance in Jacksonville on Monday. He was temporarily ordered detained in jail, until he has a formal hearing Wednesday.
Sharkey was arrested Sunday night by the FBI when a JetBlue flight from Washington's Regan National Airport landed at Jacksonville International Airport. He was charged with assault or intimidation of a flight crew.
The incident happened during Flight 715, which landed at JAX around 4 p.m.
The aircraft landed safely at JIA and Sharkey was removed from the flight by Jacksonville Aviation Authority Police.
Sharkey was taken to an interview room by FBI and while there officials said he howled like a dog for about 20 minutes, attempted to leave and then urinated on the floor.
According to the criminal complaint released Monday by the U.S. Attorney's office, Sharkey verbally assaulted another passenger and then placed that passenger in a headlock.
When ordered by a flight attendant to return to his seat, Sharkey at first complied, but then assaulted the flight attendant and made an effort exit the airplane through an exit door.
Sharkey was stopped by another flight attendant, but then fought with him, kneeing him in the groin. The complaint went on to say that passengers volunteered to help flight attendants subdue Sharkey, who was placed in flex cuffs for the remainder of the flight.
Authorities suspect Sharkey had been drinking or was intoxicated as his speech was slurred.
The FBI said neither Sharkey nor anyone else on the plane was injured.