Teh One Who Knocks
09-10-2012, 07:22 PM
By Kieran Nicholson and Kristen Leigh Painter - The Denver Post
A Nevada man was arrested at Denver International Airport over the weekend for allegedly viewing Internet porn on his laptop and committing a sexual act on a commercial airline flight.
Daniel Michael Drinan, 63, of Reno, watched pornography and was touching himself on a Southwest Airlines flight Saturday from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to DIA, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office media release.
Drinan was a passenger on Flight 1998 "when he allegedly sexually touched himself in full view of other passengers," prosecutors said.
According to an affidavit, Drinan used his laptop to connect to the airplane's WiFi service and view porn on the flight. A person nearby allegedly saw him touching himself.
The startled passenger notified a flight attendant and Drinan was asked to "put his pants back together."
"At the time the male flight attendant talked with Drinan, the defendant's genitalia was totally exposed," according to the release.
The incident raises accessibility questions now that airlines offer in-flight internet capabilities.
"We do have filter restrictions in place on what is viewable," said Chris Mainz, spokesman for Southwest Airlines. "That sort of technology, however, isn't always foolproof. It's hard to know if it was through the WiFi or perhaps he had something downloaded on his computer."
Regardless, Mainz said, as the airline staff continues to refine the system, they will add layers of protection against inapporpriate content.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Denver Police Department.
Drinan is being charged with lewd, indecent or obscene acts in public aboard an aircraft. If convicted he faces not more than 90 days in jail and up to a $250,000 fine.
A Nevada man was arrested at Denver International Airport over the weekend for allegedly viewing Internet porn on his laptop and committing a sexual act on a commercial airline flight.
Daniel Michael Drinan, 63, of Reno, watched pornography and was touching himself on a Southwest Airlines flight Saturday from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to DIA, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office media release.
Drinan was a passenger on Flight 1998 "when he allegedly sexually touched himself in full view of other passengers," prosecutors said.
According to an affidavit, Drinan used his laptop to connect to the airplane's WiFi service and view porn on the flight. A person nearby allegedly saw him touching himself.
The startled passenger notified a flight attendant and Drinan was asked to "put his pants back together."
"At the time the male flight attendant talked with Drinan, the defendant's genitalia was totally exposed," according to the release.
The incident raises accessibility questions now that airlines offer in-flight internet capabilities.
"We do have filter restrictions in place on what is viewable," said Chris Mainz, spokesman for Southwest Airlines. "That sort of technology, however, isn't always foolproof. It's hard to know if it was through the WiFi or perhaps he had something downloaded on his computer."
Regardless, Mainz said, as the airline staff continues to refine the system, they will add layers of protection against inapporpriate content.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Denver Police Department.
Drinan is being charged with lewd, indecent or obscene acts in public aboard an aircraft. If convicted he faces not more than 90 days in jail and up to a $250,000 fine.