Couple accused of having sex in front of children on flight banned from airline — but score major legal win
JetBlue airplanes sit on the tarmac at JFK airport. AP
A Connecticut couple accused of performing sex acts in front of children during a JetBlue flight to Florida will not face criminal charges after prosecutors dismissed the case last week due to jurisdictional issues.
Trista Reilly, 43, and Christopher Arnold, 42, were charged with lewd and lascivious conduct following an alleged mid-air incident aboard JetBlue Flight 163 from New York’s JFK Airport to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on July 19.
According to reports, a mother traveling with her two children witnessed Reilly making “up-and-down movements with her head” while positioned in Arnold’s lap shortly after takeoff. The witness immediately alerted the flight crew, who intervened and reported the incident to authorities.
When the plane landed in Florida, police interviewed the minors, who confirmed what they had seen. Both Reilly and Arnold were arrested and later released on their own recognizance as the court examined whether Florida had jurisdiction over the case.
On October 30, the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office officially dismissed the charges, explaining that the alleged conduct occurred outside Florida’s airspace. It remains unclear whether prosecutors in another jurisdiction will pursue charges.
JetBlue responded swiftly to the allegations, banning the couple from flying with the airline for life.
“This behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by JetBlue,” the airline said in a statement to WWSB. “Our crewmembers acted quickly to engage JetBlue’s security team and law enforcement. These customers are no longer welcome to fly JetBlue.”
Arnold also faces unrelated charges in Connecticut, including disorderly conduct and assault, stemming from an incident in Danbury earlier this year.
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