On Tuesday night, a 24-year-old man from Wichita, Kansas, faced criminal charges after allegedly attacking a flight attendant during an American Airlines flight from Connecticut to Chicago. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Julius Jordan Priester was arrested and charged with interference with flight crew members, a crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. The incident occurred on Flight 3359, which was forced to return to Bradley International Airport after a passenger allegedly forced a flight attendant to the floor and attempted to drag her up the aisle.
According to the DOJ, Priester was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 3359, which departed from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Court documents allege that during the flight, Priester stood up, began removing his shirt, and ran toward the back of the plane, yelling for help. He then reportedly grabbed a flight attendant, forcing her to the ground and attempting to drag her up the aisle.
Passengers intervened, and Priester was returned to his seat, where he continued to act erratically and speak incoherently. The flight captain declared an emergency, and the aircraft was diverted over the Finger Lakes region of New York before returning to Bradley Airport. Priester was removed from the plane by Connecticut State Police and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
American Airlines stated that it does not tolerate violence on its flights. Priester appeared in court and was ordered detained pending a bond hearing. The FBI and Connecticut State Police are investigating the case, and the DOJ highlighted the seriousness of the offense, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.