Off-Duty Pilot Claims He Took ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Before Causing Chaos Mid-Flight

The suspect claims he thought he was dreaming and just wanted to wake up.

The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, who attempted to shut-off a plane’s engines mid-flight on Sunday, has pleaded not guilty to the charges he is facing.

44-year-old Joseph Emerson admitted that he took ‘magic mushrooms’ nearly 48 hours before he allegedly tried to cut fuel from the engines. He said that he thought he was dreaming and just wanted to wake up. Federal prosecutors said Emerson also tried grabbing the handle of an emergency exit while flight attendants were detaining him.

An officer on the ground for Emerson’s arrest noted that he did not appear to be outwardly under the influence of intoxicants. Alaska Airlines also said that Emerson did not appear to be impaired before take-off. He has reportedly been battling depression for six years and recently lost a close friend.

Emerson has been charged with one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. He also faces 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft, all of which he pleaded not guilty to.