A former California Highway Patrol captain is facing serious charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a flight attendant on a JetBlue flight. The incident occurred on April 13, 2024, during a flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Los Angeles International Airport. Prosecutors say Dennis Wally Woodbury, 49, consumed a bottle of prosecco during the flight before engaging in inappropriate behavior.
According to the criminal complaint, Woodbury slapped a male flight attendant’s buttocks and yelled, “I love you.” He also showed another flight attendant a pornographic image on his phone. This behavior led to a felony charge of abusive sexual contact, which falls under federal jurisdiction. If convicted, Woodbury could face up to two years in prison.
Woodbury’s attorney has not commented on the case, and he is currently out on bond. It’s unclear when he last worked for the CHP, but the U.S. attorney’s office stated that he has been dismissed from state service.
Witnesses reported that before the flight took off, Woodbury showed a flight attendant a photo of a dog, which included a blurred image of two men in a sexual act. When the flight attendant reacted with shock, Woodbury laughed and made a comment about how long it took for the attendant to notice.
During the flight, Woodbury allegedly suggested that he and the same attendant should go on a cruise together. He also made inappropriate gestures while the attendant was demonstrating how to use the oxygen masks.
Later, while another flight attendant was collecting meal trays, Woodbury slapped that attendant’s buttocks and repeated his declaration of love. The situation escalated when he pulled down his pants to expose himself to the first attendant, who was at the front of the plane. When told he could only have nonalcoholic drinks, he exposed himself again after asking for more wine.
After the flight, as he was escorted off the plane by police at LAX, Woodbury reportedly shouted that the incident was the flight attendant’s fault for not accompanying him to the bathroom. He later claimed that the attendant had solicited him to go there, which he denied.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of inappropriate behavior on flights, as airlines and authorities continue to address the safety and comfort of both crew and passengers.