Robert Vietze, 18, of South Warren Vt. caused a commotion on a JetBlue flight from Portland to New York yesterday when he urinated on a sleeping 11-year-old girl. What is interesting about this case is the charge: indecent exposure rather than assault or other more serious charge.

Vietze was clearly drunk and says that he had consumed eight alcoholic drinks. He said later “I was drunk, and I did not realize I was pissing on her leg.”

The girl’s father caught Vietze in the course of his assault and stop him. Vietze was then moved to the back of the plane and later police were called on the flight. (Notably, another passenger later vomited and developed chest pains — making this a nightmare flight for the crew).

Vietze was issued a federal summons for indecent exposure and released. Clearly, intent is mitigated a bit by his inebriation, but I am surprised by the relatively low-level charge. Of course, as a sexually related offense with a minor, this could trigger also problems for Vietze down the road. Perhaps the police agreed that Vietze was not aiming for the girl who was hit on the leg. It will be interesting, however, whether this will be treated as a sex offender charge.

Now a note for JetBlue: please give this crew a paid day off.

Source: NY Post