Attorney: Unruly passenger says he took cocaine before flight

A passenger who caused a disturbance that forced an Air Canada flight to make an emergency landing in Orlando told an investigator he took cocaine an hour before his flight, his lawyer said Monday.

Brandon Michael Courneyea, 34, was on a May 15 flight from Jamaica to Canada when he began to act erratically, an arrest report states.

Witnesses told authorities he tried to open the cabin door and also tried to hit people with a pot of coffee.

The pilot made the emergency landing at Orlando International Airport.

Courneyea was arrested by the FBI on a charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants, a federal offense.

He was in federal court Monday in Orlando, where his father testified on his behalf, records show.

Courneyea’s attorney, Corey Cohen of Orlando, said toxicology reports will determine whether his client was under the influence of drugs.

“He’s very remorseful,” Cohen said. “He doesn’t care so much what happens to him. He’s more worried about his family that is without his help.”

Cohen said his client has five children, two of whom have special needs.

He is asking the judge to release Courneyea to the custody of his father so they can return home to Kingston, Ontario, about 160 miles east of Toronto.

Prosecutors want him to remain in jail.

His attorneys filed numerous letters from Courneyea’s friends and family vouching for his character.

“When I saw the news of what apparently happened on the Air Canada flight, I was completely shocked as this was in great contradiction to what I know of Brandon,” wrote family friend Jackie McAlphine of Toronto.

Cohen said his client traveled by himself to Jamaica for a fishing trip.

Prosecutors have until Friday to file paperwork arguing why Courneyea should remain in jail, according to Cohen.