A JetBlue pilot was taken into custody on Thursday, Feb. 20, as he was getting ready for a flight from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Paris, following the discovery of an active arrest warrant from North Carolina.
On Thursday evening, Massachusetts State Police took Jeremy Gudorf, 33, from Ohio into custody while on the plane. Following a routine examination of the flight’s manifest by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a warrant was found “lodged against a member of the flight crew who was detained,” according to a spokesperson from state police speaking to NBC News.
On Friday, Gudorf faced arraignment in East Boston District Court, according to reports from NBC Boston and WCVB. Authorities reported that the warrant issued in North Carolina pertains to a charge involving second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. According to NBC Boston, he faced charges in Massachusetts as a fugitive from justice.
Prosecutors requested that Gudorf be detained without bail and that he hand over his passport.
“He possesses the financial means to rent a car and make the drive to North Carolina,” stated Gudorf’s defense attorney, Tanvi Verma, according to WCVB. “He has promised me he will follow through on that.” The lawyer informed the court that there was no previous criminal record, according to NBC Boston.
“Honestly, there’s no escaping this situation, your honor.” He knows all about it,” Verma stated, according to WMUR. “These allegations are quite grave.” Exciting updates have arrived. He won’t be able to escape this situation easily.
The judge decided against confiscating Gudorf’s passport but set bail at $10,000 for his release. He must also make his way back to North Carolina by February 25. A court date in Massachusetts is set for March 19, but it will be canceled if he resolves the warrant.
The details of his situation in North Carolina were not addressed in court on Friday, according to NBC Boston. The warrant originated from Huntersville, N.C., the former residence of Gudorf.
On Friday, the Huntersville Police Department announced that it had received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children back in October 2024. Following an inquiry, authorities secured a search warrant for Google, which resulted in pinpointing the origin of the reported images, according to police.
The Huntersville police stated, “Late last year, Google complied with the warrant and provided the necessary records to law enforcement.” “Following the collection of evidence, investigators from the HPD obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Gudorf, who faces charges related to the Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.”
“It is our duty as public defenders to uphold the principle that each of our clients is considered innocent and deserves to be treated as such, until the state can demonstrate otherwise,” Verma stated in a message to PEOPLE. “Every individual facing charges has the right to a presumption of innocence and to a vigorous defense in the courtroom, as mandated by law.”
JetBlue announced to various media that Gudorf has been put on “indefinite leave.”
The airline acknowledged the situation, stating, “We are aware of and closely reviewing the arrest of one of our pilots upon reporting for work at Boston’s Logan Airport Thursday evening due to an outstanding warrant.” “The pilot is currently on indefinite leave while authorities continue their investigation.”
Inquiries have been made to the Massachusetts State Police and JetBlue for their responses.