Marsha Gay Reynolds, the JetBlue flight attendant that was recently accused of smuggling a suitcase full of cocaine through Los Angeles International Airport, claims she was unaware of the fact that she was carrying the substance, New York Post reports.
Officials say they found 70 pounds of cocaine in her luggage on March 18 at LAX. Reportedly, after the search she fled the scene and dashed down an upward moving escalator. She allegedly ran out the terminal, and flew cross-country to New York.
Reynolds’ spokesperson, Allan Jennings who represents her family and defense lawyer says, “She may not have been fully aware of what was in the bags.” But Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Washington has a different account, and claims this was “not the only time the defendant has engaged in this conduct.”
A U.S. judge set bail for Reynolds at $500,000, and let her relatives and two friends from her church know they could possibly lose their home.
Reynolds, 31, is a Jamaican-born U.S. citizen, and a New York University graduate. In 2008, she was a runner in the Miss Jamaica World 2008 pageant.
Prosecutors say the amount of cocaine was worth about $3 million, and if convicted Reynolds can face up to 10 years in prison. Officials say she “took advantage of her position as a crew member,” and “abused the trust.”
Further details for this story are pending.