A JetBlue pilot has been accused of drugging and raping multiple female crew members during a layover in Puerto Rico in May 2018, according to a new lawsuit obtained by the New York Daily News
The suit alleges that pilot Eric Johnson conspired with fellow pilot Dan Watson to drug three colleagues with laced beers after meeting on the beach in San Juan on May 9, 2018.
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The women were eventually brought back to the Intercontinental Hotel, where Johnson is accused of raping two of them. Watson, who is accused of plotting with Johnson to drug and assault the women, allegedly “left the scene after having been scratched,” the lawsuit claims.
One of the women—a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe 1—said she blacked out while still on the beach and regained only a hazy consciousness during the alleged attack. “Plaintiff was unable to react to the situation but was simply aware that it was happening,” the lawsuit said, adding that Johnson allegedly told the woman “Thank you for making my fantasy come true.”
The second plaintiff in the case—identified only as Jane Doe 2—was allegedly taken back to her room without being raped after “she began vomiting, which was a turnoff,” according to the lawsuit.
After returning home and going to the hospital, Jane Doe 1 claims she later found out she had contracted the human papillomavirus (HPV). The suit argues that the only person she could have contracted the STD from was Johnson.
Attorney Abraham Z. Melamed of Derek Smith Law Group called out JetBlue in a statement to Fox News on behalf of his clients: “What happened to my clients is truly horrific and JetBlue’s failure to take corrective action is appalling. I am hopeful that the courage of my clients will bring about some real change and inspire others who have been silenced to come forward. We look forward to getting justice.”
The two plaintiffs are suing for at least $75,000 each in damages.
JetBlue noted that it can’t comment on pending litigation but said it takes the allegations “very seriously.”
“JetBlue takes allegations of violent or inappropriate behavior very seriously and investigates such claims thoroughly,” the airline said in a statement. “We work to create a respectful workplace for all our crewmembers where they feel welcome and safe.”
