A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to disable the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while under the lingering effects of psychedelic mushrooms pleaded guilty to various related charges, formally closing one of the most alarming air-safety incidents in recent memory.
Joseph Emerson, riding off-duty in the cockpit jump seat of a Horizon Air flight, attempted to cut the engines on a trip from Everett, Wash., to San Francisco. More than 80 passengers were aboard. The crew diverted to Portland for an emergency landing and Emerson was restrained by the flight crew.
Earlier he had pleaded not guilty, but on Friday, Emerson pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew and entered no contest pleas in Oregon state court to 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft.
Emerson had taken psilocybin mushrooms two days prior to the flight during a camping trip to mourn a friend’s death. He later reported experiencing hallucinations and said he believed he was in a dream state. He described the cockpit incident as an attempt to “wake up.” He had not slept for more than 40 hours.
Prosecutors noted that Emerson may have suffered from hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, a condition sometimes linked to psychedelic use.
Under his plea agreements, Emerson was sentenced to 50 days in jail, time he has already served. He will serve five years of probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,569 in restitution, mostly payable to Alaska Air Group. Federal sentencing is set for Nov. 17, where he faces a maximum of 20 years but will likely see that reduced greatly.
The case comes at a time when citizens of Alaska are considering whether to legalize psychedelic mushrooms. A ballot initiative is currently gathering signatures that could put the question before voters. Emerson’s case may serve as a warning about the risks of hallucinogen use and its lingering effects. The ballot measure, as approved by the Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor, characterizes mushrooms as “natural medicine.”
This is what happens when corporations foist wokeness on their employees. This guy went wacko because he couldn’t take Alaska Airline’s craziness anymore.
That said, then teaching wokeness has a murderous objective. More sickness being spewed by the left.
The choice to legalize hallucinogenic substances will just create tens of thousands of psychotic entitled Hunter Biden types terrorizing Alaskan citizens.
Absolutely not!
Just in time for the “Alaska Natural Medicine Act” ballot initiative. And I bet it still passes, too.
Woke Alaska Airlines announced about 4 yrs ago they would go all out to DEI/Lgbt hire then painted a gay pride aircraft.
Employees said wearing BLM and LGBT lapel pins was encouraged, but wearing visible cross necklaces was discouraged.
We don’t need to
Make hallucinogens legal. They are proven to often lead to Persistent Psychosis, profound detachment from reality, wild mood swings, violent outbursts, emotional outbursts, and hallucinations that may seem all too real. Panic attacks are not uncommon and almost mirror the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia, which includes hallucinations, delusional thinking, and abnormal behavior.
And, all that describes the pilot perfectly.
I doubt this stupid pilot is one-off, and I wonder if Alaska Airlines cockpits are full of this type.
The last place I ever want to be tripping is packed inside an aluminum can at 30,000 feet with a bunch of people. But that’s just me, I guess.
Meanwhile we have people in prison for life for stealing sneakers over a certain dollar value under the three strikes law passed by the US Governmnent.
Justice?
Yes it is because after the 14th time of committing a crime and not being locked up they will be stabbing a young girl in the neck somewhere!
Is it just me, but I think he should have some serious prison time.
Seems like a great example of the ills of a liberal society. Warning. You are not safe in a liberal society.