Spirit Airlines Pilot Arrested for Stalking Minors
A Spirit Airlines pilot has been arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and charged with stalking two minors near his home state of Missouri. Dominic Cipolla, 40, was taken into custody after allegedly following a 12-year-old and a 17-year-old in Olathe, Kansas. The pilot, who joined the airline in 2022 as a first officer, has been grounded pending an investigation.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by The Guardian, Cipolla was accused of creepy behavior towards the minors, leading to his arrest at the airport. The military veteran, who resides in Kansas City, was living just 22 miles north of Olathe at the time of the incidents. He was taken into custody in New Orleans and later extradited to Kansas, where he was booked at a local jail and released on a $12,500 bond.
Details about the allegations and charges against Cipolla have not been fully disclosed. However, one count is described as a severity level 7 person felony, which could result in a prison sentence of up to three years. Additionally, there is a misdemeanor charge related to the teenage victim, carrying a potential fine of $2,500 or a year in jail upon conviction.
Spirit Airlines has removed Cipolla from duty while the investigation is ongoing, and another pilot has been assigned to cover his flights. The pilot is scheduled to appear in court on August 12, although the Johnson County Court Clerk’s Office has not provided further information at this time.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of minors, as well as the behavior of airline employees. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional conduct at all times, especially when in a position of authority and responsibility.
