CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Sarasota police officer is behind bars Saturday after he was arrested at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport Friday night.
- Sarasota Police Office arrested at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport
- Derrick Gilbert accused of battering an airline employee, his son
- Gilbert was removed from his flight for being too intoxicated
Derrick Gilbert is accused of battering an airline employee and his own son.
Authorities said the 51-year-old was removed from his flight for being too intoxicated. Flight attendants said Gilbert was so intoxicated he couldn't find his seat, had slurred speech, glassed over eyes, and looked confused.
When Pinellas County deputies arrived, he was standing at the terminal ramp yelling at Allegiant Airline employees.
Witnesses claim Gilbert pushed an airline employee and grabbed his 18-year-old son by the neck when the teen tried to convince his dad to leave peacefully.
Authorities said Gilbert refused to leave the airport and told deputies they could not arrest him because he was a police officer with the Sarasota Police Department.
Gilbert is now facing multiple charges including trespassing and battery.