Couple Carged Under Patriot Act...For Kissing?
11-23-2006, 02:34 PM
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Couple Carged Under Patriot Act...For Kissing?
A recent make-out session on a Southwest Airlines flight led to a confrontation with flight attendants, and ended with a couple being charged with interfering with flight attendants.
Southwest call themselves the 'Luv' airline but they and federal prosecutors claim Carl Persing and girlfriend Dawn Sewell went a lot further than just kissing.
The Southwest airlines flight left from LAX and by the time it arrived in North Carolina, authorities were waiting for Carl and Dawn. They were arrested and charged under the Patriot Act and if convicted, now face up to 20 years in prison for what happened that day.
A federal complaint says the couple was "embracing kissing and acting in a manner that made other passengers uncomfortable." They were arrested because they allegedly threatened a flight attendant who told them to stop - something the couple denies.
When asked if he did have sex on the flight, Carl said, "Do you think that's possible on a flight in a seat?" He then added that having sex was "not how it went down."
Talking exclusively with INSIDE EDITION, Carl said he was on medication, and rested his head in dawn's lap to sleep, and what looked like hot and heavy sex was really just a nap.
Asked if he was shocked when he was arrested, Carl said, "Oh, I was blown away. I was appalled at what they were doing." But he does admit they did make out a little.
Southwest said in a statement, "Certain behavior is not appropriate with more than 100 passengers on board at 30,000 feet."
The arrests were fodder for the late night comics, but the couple says it's no joke for them.
"If kissing your girl on a plane is a crime, I'll never fly again!" said Carl.
The couple pleaded not guilty to interfering with a flight attendant. Their trial is set for February
Southwest call themselves the 'Luv' airline but they and federal prosecutors claim Carl Persing and girlfriend Dawn Sewell went a lot further than just kissing.
The Southwest airlines flight left from LAX and by the time it arrived in North Carolina, authorities were waiting for Carl and Dawn. They were arrested and charged under the Patriot Act and if convicted, now face up to 20 years in prison for what happened that day.
A federal complaint says the couple was "embracing kissing and acting in a manner that made other passengers uncomfortable." They were arrested because they allegedly threatened a flight attendant who told them to stop - something the couple denies.
When asked if he did have sex on the flight, Carl said, "Do you think that's possible on a flight in a seat?" He then added that having sex was "not how it went down."
Talking exclusively with INSIDE EDITION, Carl said he was on medication, and rested his head in dawn's lap to sleep, and what looked like hot and heavy sex was really just a nap.
Asked if he was shocked when he was arrested, Carl said, "Oh, I was blown away. I was appalled at what they were doing." But he does admit they did make out a little.
Southwest said in a statement, "Certain behavior is not appropriate with more than 100 passengers on board at 30,000 feet."
The arrests were fodder for the late night comics, but the couple says it's no joke for them.
"If kissing your girl on a plane is a crime, I'll never fly again!" said Carl.
The couple pleaded not guilty to interfering with a flight attendant. Their trial is set for February
Isn't it just great where this country is going? "Land of the Free".
11-23-2006, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by SAABaroowski
Well I will say I have jumpseated on many SWA airplanes and some PAX on their make me feel uncomfortable when they are just sitting there 
10 lol's
11-23-2006, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by GotheriK
http://www.insideedition.com/ourstor...px?storyid=495
Isn't it just great where this country is going? "Land of the Free".
Isn't it just great where this country is going? "Land of the Free".
you have to take these media reports with a grain of salt. I guess their hormones couldn't wait, but for some reason, I doubt that we're getting the "real" story.
11-23-2006, 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Skygirl
***DING*** "You are now free to have sex somewhere other than our airplane"...
you have to take these media reports with a grain of salt. I guess their hormones couldn't wait, but for some reason, I doubt that we're getting the "real" story.
you have to take these media reports with a grain of salt. I guess their hormones couldn't wait, but for some reason, I doubt that we're getting the "real" story.
11-23-2006, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by GotheriK
Well, I do too. I doubt all they were doing was "kissing", but to be charged under the Patriot Act (something intended for use against terrorists, not horny couples), and face up to twenty years in prison is absolutely ridiculous. It just goes to show the hype this administration has worked up over terrorism. There are times when I think the terrorists have accomplished their implied job.
11-23-2006, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Skygirl
I agree! Certain segments of our population have a driven need to prosecute anyone who is getting what they are not getting. Just ask our former President.
11-23-2006, 07:51 PM
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Theres is a TIME and place for everything. If you wanna join the mile high club everyone knows you use the bathroom. Try and go in the beginning of the flight right after they turn the seatbelt signs off. That way u avoid foul smells, and most people at this time wont realize what you are up to. ( jk..not that I would know anything about that of course.. its illegal.... heh)
11-23-2006, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Puppyz
Theres is a TIME and place for everything. If you wanna join the mile high club everyone knows you use the bathroom. Try and go in the beginning of the flight right after they turn the seatbelt signs off. That way u avoid foul smells, and most people at this time wont realize what you are up to. ( jk..not that I would know anything about that of course.. its illegal.... heh)
11-24-2006, 06:06 AM
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I had to read it twice before I caught this, the reason why they were arrested was not for having sex:
Thats why they were arrested under the Patriot Act, it was not because they were having sex, but because when they were asked to stop, the couple threatened the FA. So it will go to trial, and they will determine whether or not the couple actually did threaten the FA. The arrest has very little to do with kissing or sex, although the article would is written to make you think it was about that.
They were arrested because they allegedly threatened a flight attendant who told them to stop - something the couple denies.
