JetBlue pilot arrested at Boston airport over North Carolina warrant

JetBlue acknowledged the arrest and confirmed that they are reviewing the situation closely. The airline has placed Gudorf on "indefinite leave." "We are aware of and closely reviewing the arrest of one of our pilots upon reporting for work at Boston’s Logan Airport Thursday evening due to an outstanding warrant," JetBlue said in a statement. "The pilot has been placed on indefinite leave as law enforcement proceeds with the matter."

North Carolina's Huntersville Police Department indicated that the charges against Gudorf stem from an investigation initiated last year. In October 2024, police received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about suspected child exploitation images. This led to a search warrant being executed against Google, providing crucial records that traced back to Gudorf. An arrest warrant was issued in December 2024.

Gudorf faced arraignment in East Boston District Court on Friday on charges related to second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Prosecutors argued he should be held without bail due to the seriousness of the charges and potential flight risk.

"He is a commercial pilot; the warrant is out of North Carolina, and he resides in Ohio. So for those reasons, we ask he be held without bail and surrender his passport," prosecutor Kyle Neyman stated.

"These are serious charges. The news is here. He's not just going to be able to run away from this," said Gudorf's defense attorney Tanvi Verma. "He does have the financial capacity to rent a car and drive to North Carolina. He has assured me he will do that."

Despite prosecution's request, Gudorf was granted $10,000 bail under conditions that he reports to North Carolina by February 25 to address these charges or face further legal complications.

Additionally, Massachusetts authorities charged him with one count of being a fugitive from justice without a warrant. If North Carolina waives this warrant, he will not need to return for another hearing on March 19 regarding this charge.