The story ricocheted around the world: A Southwest Airlines pilot named David Allsop was accused of being drunk, and, supposedly, a body cam video shows this.
Not so fast, his lawyer now says, claiming that the video actually exonerates his client.
David Allsop’s Lawyer Says the Southwest Airlines Pilot ‘Committed No Crime’
Allsop’s lawyer gave the statement to The Independent.
“The recently released bodycam video confirms what should be obvious to anyone who watches it — Captain Allsop committed no crime,” attorney David Chaiken said in his statement to The Independent. “Experts who have reviewed the video have concluded that the tests that led to his arrest were not performed correctly and that the proper procedures were not followed.”
Chaiken added that “these procedures are in place for a reason, to prevent mistakes like this one.” Chaiken labeled the pilot an “American hero” and said he served in the military before becoming a commercial pilot, The Independent reported.
Furthermore, he told the publication that Allsop has had a clean record for 20 years as a pilot.
According to NBC News, Allsop was “pulled out of a cockpit and arrested on allegations that he tried to fly while impaired,” but “blamed nicotine pouches when police told him he smelled of alcohol.”
Allsop was arrested “on a charge of driving under the influence,” the network added.
The Incident With David Allsop Dates to January, But the Charges Are Still Pending
The incident happened on Jan. 15, but the police body cam video was released on Aug. 15.
The body cam video shows Allsop allegedly telling police that he had “a few beers” and said he drank them “10 hours ago.”
“Define a few beers?” officer Josiah Best asked.
“A few beers,” Allsop said before adding, “Like three. Light beer, Miller Lite.”
According to NBC, the officer wrote in his report that Allsop “had bloodshot, watery eyes and a flushed complexion.”
The arrest occurred at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia, 9News reported. The station added that police tracked down Allsop after a TSA agent claimed he “smelled of alcohol and appeared intoxicated.”
The charges remain pending, 9News reported, and he was removed from duty.
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