Maryland bartender faces federal probe after alleged sexual act on Baltimore-to-Miami flight

Key points

• Katy Inzer, a 46-year-old bartender from Edgewater, Maryland, was arrested in Miami following an incident on an American Airlines flight from Baltimore to Miami on September 11.
• According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office report, Inzer allegedly removed her pants and masturbated while making inappropriate sounds shortly after takeoff.
• A flight attendant confronted Inzer, who reportedly stopped, put her pants back on, and fell asleep for the remainder of the flight.
• Upon landing, Inzer was arrested by local authorities who observed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol.
• The case was referred to the FBI because federal jurisdiction applies to certain crimes, including sexual misconduct, committed on commercial aircraft.
• Inzer told deputies she drank before boarding and could not remember the alleged incident because she fell asleep.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of high-profile in-flight misconduct cases, such as the 2026 firing of Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton over alleged in-flight chatroom activity. It also highlights ongoing debates about federal jurisdiction for crimes committed in the air, as seen in the FBI's handling of 104 sexual misconduct cases on flights in 2024.

How outlets are covering it

KOMO and the Baltimore Sun reported the incident based on a sheriff's report, emphasizing Inzer's intoxication and lack of memory. The Economic Times provided additional context on why the FBI was involved, citing federal jurisdiction over in-flight crimes. TMZ's coverage was unavailable due to a 403 error, so no perspective could be extracted from that source.

Why it matters

The case underscores the federal government's role in investigating crimes committed on commercial flights, even when local authorities initially handle the arrest. It also highlights the potential consequences of in-flight misconduct, including federal charges and public scrutiny.

What to watch

The FBI is expected to review the case and determine whether to pursue federal charges against Inzer. Local authorities in Miami may also pursue state charges related to intoxication and disorderly conduct.