A Canadian who forced an American Airlines flight to make an emergency landing at the Piarco International Airport on Saturday yesterday appeared in court charged with disorderly conduct. Jacques Heroux, 48 of Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada, will reappear this morning to be sentenced. Heroux was granted $40,000 own bail yesterday when he appeared before Magistrate Adrian Darmanie in the Arima Second Court.
Heroux was not called upon to enter a plea as the charge was laid indictably. He is an electrician employed with Nunavick Nickel Mining Project and was granted bail after being advised to change the US$1,800 cash he had on him when he was arrested, so he would be able to pay a fine if so ordered by the court.
He was represented by attorney Fareed Ali when he appeared yesterday. It is alleged that while aboard the American Airlines flight 221, en route from Canada to Brazil, on November 24, around 5 am, Heroux consumed close to 40 ounces of Dewar's scotch whisky, because he was nervous about flying.
Questioned yesterday, Heroux said he had been going to meet his fiancee Adriana De Souza in Brazil, where he was scheduled to meet her relatives. Heroux said when he began feeling ill, he lay down across three seats to rest, but the flight crew ordered him to sit upright and he objected.
Following the commotion, the pilot was granted emergency clearance to land at Piarco and Heroux was arrested by Arima police. Heroux was charged with violating Section 60 of the Civil Aviation Act. He was warned yesterday that he could face a fine of up to $25,000 and a year in prison if he is found guilty.