Flight attendant turns herself in after fleeing LAX, leaving cocaine behind

NEW YORK — A JetBlue flight attendant turned herself in after dropping a bag full of cocaine at a security checkpoint and running out of Los Angeles International Airport Friday.

Marsha Gay Reynolds made a run for it after she was selected for a random security screening.

Fox News reported that she was seen running down an escalator the wrong way with no shoes on.

Officials said Reynolds, 31, surrendered to Drug Enforcement Administration agents at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport Wednesday. It is not clear how she got to New York.

She was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, according the U.S. attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek.

Punishment could be 10 years to life in prison.

LAX police said the bag contained 11 packages of cocaine weighing 68.49 pounds wrapped in green cellophane.

Special Agent Timothy Massino, a spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said the wholesale value of the drugs is $750,000 in Los Angeles. The street value in LA could be up to $3 million.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Reynolds was a pre-screened crew member, according to the complaint.

Airline and airport staff are not required to have routine security checks at LAX.

The TSA said full screenings of all employees would be too costly. It encourages airports to increase random screenings and update background checks instead.

When the scanner randomly selected Reynolds for a security screening, she got nervous, making a phone call and talking to someone in a foreign language while being escorted to another checkpoint, according to the affidavit.

Once she was at the second screening checkpoint, TSA Officer Charles James asked for identification.

"At this time, Reynolds dropped her carry-on luggage, removed her shoes and began to run away," according to the complaint.

Mrozek said prosecutors  believe Reynolds is a 2008 Miss Jamaica World runner up.

New York University lists a Marsha Gay Reynolds as a member of the 2004 women's track team, but it is not clear if it is the same person.

JetBlue spokeswoman Sharon Jones said the airline was cooperating with authorities and declined to offer any further comment.

Mrozek said Reynolds, a New York resident, is due in federal court in Brooklyn on Thursday.

Cox Media Group