A 64-year-old licensed practical nurse is facing federal charges after she allegedly grabbed a flight attendant’s genitalia while traveling from Las Vegas to North Dakota.
Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was arrested Tuesday on one count of interference with flight crew members, according to federal court documents reviewed by The Independent.
The altercation occurred January 16 aboard an Allegiant Air flight from Harry Reid International Airport to Grand Forks International Airport, states an indictment unsealed April 8 in Minnesota federal court.
Sherry-Berg, a Bemidji, Minnesota, resident, “did knowingly interfere with the performance of the duties” of a male flight attendant identified in court filings as “J.M.,” when she “assaulted J.M. by grabbing J.M.’s genitals,” the indictment contends.
Attorney Jean Brandl, a public defender assigned to represent Sherry-Berg at her first court appearance, told The Independent that she was “not at liberty to speak to you about the case.”
Brandl declined to provide details of what led up to the altercation, which is not laid out in the indictment.
An Allegiant Air spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A fellow traveler captured cell phone video of Sherry-Berg twice grabbing the flight attendant’s crotch, Fargo, North Dakota NBC affiliate KVLY reported at the time of the incident.
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Sherry-Berg was initially arrested upon landing by the Grand Forks Police Department on one count of providing false information to law enforcement. According to a probable cause affidavit in that case, Sherry-Berg at first gave responding officers a fake name, Alyssa Hoverson.
However, a search of Sherry-Berg’s belongings turned up a Minnesota driver’s license that revealed her true identity, the affidavit says.
The state charge was dropped on April 3, when the still-sealed federal indictment was handed down, court records show. Following her arrest this week, Sherry-Berg was released on a personal recognizance bond and ordered to stay away from her alleged victim and any witnesses who may be called to testify.
A source with knowledge of the incident told The Independent that Sherry-Berg has “a strong defense” to the allegations.
If convicted, Sherry-Berg faces up to 20 years in prison. She is scheduled to appear in Grand Forks federal court on April 21.
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