Pilot released, alcohol consumption prohibited

A Henderson man who allegedly took an airplane for a drunken joyride at Boulder City Municipal Airport March 2 was released from jail during his Tuesday arraignment at Boulder Township Justice Court but ordered to stay out of Boulder City and not consume alcohol.

Paul Michael Weddle, 47, is charged with operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol, vehicle theft and obstructing a police officer.

After gaining access to the airport March 2, Weddle took off and landed several times in a Cessna aircraft owned by Scenic Airlines, without the company’s consent, police said.

On Tuesday a Justice Court preliminary hearing in the case was scheduled for 1 p.m. May 6.

Judge Victor Miller ordered that Weddle be released from Clark County Detention Center, where he had been held since his March 3 booking.

Miller told Weddle he’d be under “intense supervision” and have to wear an electronic bracelet to monitor alcohol consumption.

“If you violate that (order), have any alcohol, it will show immediately,” Miller said. “Someone will pick you up and arrest you and take you to jail.”

Weddle told Miller that he had numerous medical problems.

“I’m currently disabled and under therapy for a lot of issues,” he said