Minnesota nurse facing federal charges for allegedly grabbing flight attendant’s genitals

If convicted, 64-year-old Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg could be imprisoned for up to 20 years

An alleged altercation occurred aboard an Allegiant Air flight in January where a passenger is accused of grabbing a flight attendant (Getty Images)

A 64-year-old licensed practical nurse is facing federal charges after she allegedly grabbed a flight attendant’s genitalia while traveling from Las Vegas to North Dakota.

Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was arrested Tuesday on one count of interference with flight crew members, according to federal court documents reviewed by The Independent.

The altercation occurred January 16 aboard an Allegiant Air flight from Harry Reid International Airport to Grand Forks International Airport, states an indictment unsealed April 8 in Minnesota federal court.

Sherry-Berg, a Bemidji, Minnesota, resident, “did knowingly interfere with the performance of the duties” of a male flight attendant identified in court filings as “J.M.,” when she “assaulted J.M. by grabbing J.M.’s genitals,” the indictment contends.

Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was flying from Vegas to North Dakota at the time of the alleged incident (Getty Images)

Attorney Jean Brandl, a public defender assigned to represent Sherry-Berg at her first court appearance, told The Independent that she was “not at liberty to speak to you about the case.”

Brandl declined to provide details of what led up to the altercation, which is not laid out in the indictment.

An Allegiant Air spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A fellow traveler captured cell phone video of Sherry-Berg twice grabbing the flight attendant’s crotch, Fargo, North Dakota NBC affiliate KVLY reported at the time of the incident.

(US District Court for the District of Minnesota)

Sherry-Berg was initially arrested upon landing by the Grand Forks Police Department on one count of providing false information to law enforcement. According to a probable cause affidavit in that case, Sherry-Berg at first gave responding officers a fake name, Alyssa Hoverson.

However, a search of Sherry-Berg’s belongings turned up a Minnesota driver’s license that revealed her true identity, the affidavit says.

The state charge was dropped on April 3, when the still-sealed federal indictment was handed down, court records show. Following her arrest this week, Sherry-Berg was released on a personal recognizance bond and ordered to stay away from her alleged victim and any witnesses who may be called to testify.

If convicted, Sherry-Berg faces up to 20 years in prison. She is scheduled to appear in Grand Forks federal court on April 21.