‘Unwanted groping at 30,000 feet’: Wine-drunk California man who patted a male flight attendant’s tush, flashed his coworkers on a flight, indicted in court

It was a flight to remember, for all the wrong reasons. A former California Highway Patrol captain turned mile-high menace now faces federal charges after allegedly slapping a flight attendant’s behind, exposing himself mid-flight, and declaring his love in a drunken haze.

Dennis Woodbury, 49, of Azusa, apparently decided to turn a JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles into something like his own private bachelor party. Unfortunately for everyone else onboard, no one RSVP’d. On May 1, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Woodbury on one count of abusive sexual contact on a flight, a felony that could land him in federal prison for up to two years. Spoiler alert: “I love you” doesn’t make it consensual.

According to court documents, the chaos began before the plane even left the gate. Woodbury, allegedly eager to make an impression, showed a flight attendant a picture of a dog, with some NSFW material conveniently lurking in the background. Smooth. He followed up by inviting the attendant on a cruise and making a lewd hand gesture, as if that was going to seal the deal.

“Unwanted groping at 30,000 feet”

But the real show began after the meal service. As one of the male flight attendants walked past Woodbury’s seat, the ex-cop gave him a good ol’ fashioned butt slap with his left hand and yelled, “I love you!” Because nothing says romantic interest like unwanted groping at 30,000 feet.

If that wasn’t enough, Woodbury apparently believed modesty was optional in the air. Later in the flight, he strolled into the front galley, dropped trou, and flashed his junk at a second flight attendant.

The attendant, who probably did not sign up for a surprise anatomy lesson, told him to knock it off. Woodbury, undeterred, asked for more wine—because nothing says “classy” like full frontal and a Merlot chaser. When denied, he dropped his pants again, earning a final “Go back to your seat” from the understandably exasperated crew member.

The keyword here is abusive sexual contact on a flight—a phrase federal prosecutors don’t toss around lightly. Neither of the attendants gave consent to any of the antics, and both recounted the incidents to investigators in detail. The case is now in the hands of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Larsen leading the prosecution.

Woodbury’s free on $50,000 bond

Woodbury, who was previously dismissed from his post as a CHP captain (go figure), is currently out on a $50,000 bond. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on May 12 in Los Angeles. His court appearance is likely to be far less entertaining than his performance at 35,000 feet.

The FBI and Los Angeles Airport Police are investigating the incident, part of a growing trend of bad behavior in the skies. While the skies were once friendly, these days, flight attendants might need body armor and a legal degree.

To be clear: an indictment isn’t a conviction. Woodbury is still presumed innocent until proven otherwise. But if you’re planning your next cross-country trip, you can rest assured—flashing the crew while getting handsy on a plane will earn you more than just side-eyes. It might just get you a courtroom and a criminal record.