A Kansas man, identified as 24-year-old Julius Jordan Priester, has been arrested and charged with assaulting a crew member on an American Airlines flight originating from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, according to a statement released by the Department of Justice.
The incident occurred on May 27th aboard a flight en route to Chicago. Approximately 30 minutes to an hour into the flight, Priester reportedly stood up, began removing his shirt, and ran towards the rear of the aircraft yelling, “Help me.”
Prosecutors allege that Priester then grabbed a seated flight attendant, shouting, “you’re coming with me,” before forcing the crew member to the ground. He then purportedly attempted to drag the flight attendant up the aisle of the plane.
Several passengers intervened, successfully returning Priester to his seat. Authorities stated that he continued to act erratically and make incoherent statements.
As a result of Priester’s behavior, the plane’s captain declared an emergency and diverted the flight back to Bradley Airport. Upon landing, Priester was taken into custody by Connecticut State Police and subsequently transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation.
Priester is currently detained pending a bond hearing scheduled for May 30th. He faces a charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.
American Airlines issued a statement to CBS News, affirming that the company “does not tolerate violence.” The airline expressed gratitude to its team members for their professionalism and to customers for their assistance during the incident.
The case is currently under investigation by the FBI and Connecticut State Police, as confirmed by the Department of Justice.
Be First to Comment