HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK — Breen Peck, a veteran air traffic controller previously involved in two major aviation mishaps was arrested on Wednesday night, according to a Washington Post report.
Hempstead, New York police say they found two illegal guns as well as crystal meth in his possession, the latter of which the former air traffic controller allegedly told cops he can't live without.
"That's meth, I smoke it to stay awake, I'm an air traffic controller," Peck told police, according to a Newsday report.
Whether or not Peck smoked while on the job now appears to be up for debate.
In April 2011, the 52-year-old misdirected a plane carrying Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, causing it to stray dangerously close to military cargo jet and forcing the White House aircraft to abort its initial landing.
The previous year Peck also directed a United Airlines flight that came within seconds of colliding with a commuter jet.
The pilot of the United plane, which was carrying Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, was forced to pull the aircraft up hard in order to avert a collision.
At the time of his arrest, Peck was no longer working as an air traffic controller, but was still employed by the FAA.
Peck has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and the criminal possession of a gun.
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