Justin Bieber’s New Jersey-bound private fight last week is under investigation by Federal Aviation Administration, who are “looking into allegations” that passengers interfered with the flight crew.
The 19-year-old star, his father Jeremy, and ten others flew on a chartered Gulfstream IV plane from Ontario, Canada, into New Jersey’s Teterboro airport for a round of pre-Super Bowl parties and the game on Friday, January 31.
It’s alleged overwhelming marijuana use by Justin, Jeremy, and their group, forced pilots to don oxygen masks to stop contact inhalation and fails in drug tests. The father and son are also accused of being “extremely abusive verbally” to a flight attendant who eventually stayed in the cockpit to avoid “harassing behavior,” according to law enforcement sources to CNN.
Under FAA regulations, “No person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crew member in the performance of the crew member’s duties aboard an aircraft.”
In addition, a report by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alleges Justin and Jeremy ignored repeated warnings to stop smoking pot on the flight from pilots..
For their part, the FAA isn’t saying how they became involved in the investigation, whether in response to media reports, pilots’ complaints, investigating officers, or other.
The organization told CNN Friday that it is “looking into allegations” but didn’t specify which passengers.
According to the FAA, passengers interfering with a flight crew while carrying out duties can face penalties under either criminal or civil statutes. Under civil, fines of between $11,000 to $27,500 arise. Under criminal, violators can face jail terms of up to 20 years and fines of up to $250,000.
Bieber’s jet was searched by federal CBP agents, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
CNN reports a law enforcement source said officials smelled marijuana, which triggered a search by two drug-sniffing dogs.
However, no drugs were found.
Meanwhile, Bieber was interrogated by the CBP for several hours. But with no drugs found and none of the flight crew filing a complaint, the superstar and his entourage were allowed to re-enter the US.
These are perilous times for the pop prince.
On January 23 Bieber was pulled then arrested on a residential street in Miami Beach while driving a yellow Lamborghini, along with his friend, singer Khalil Sharieff, who drove a red Ferrari. Arresting officers described them as engaged in an illegal street drag race.
Despite a negligible blood alcohol level after breath tests, a toxicology report revealed Justin had marijuana and Xanax in his system at the time of his arrest.
The Canadian has pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under influence, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with an expired license, ahead of a February 14 arraignment he is not expected to attended. A March 3 trial date has been set.
Bieber, who is currently staying in Atlanta, Georgia, was charged with assault in Canada last week for allegedly attacking a Toronto limo driver in December.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Sheriff has recommended a felony charge for the pop prince in an egg-throwing incident he is accused of committing. The District Attorney will decide if a felony or misdemeanor prosecution is merited, or drop the case.
“No decision will be made this week,” District Attorney spokesman Ricardo Santiago told CNN Thursday.
We will update on the FAA investigation as it progresses.