An American Airlines passenger attacked a crew member mid-flight and dragged them up the plane aisle, prosecutors allege.
Julius Jordan Priester, 24, of Kansas, was arrested and charged with the assault of a crew member on a Chicago-bound flight Tuesday night, according to the Department of Justice.
His alleged act of violence occurred less than an hour after Flight 3359 departed Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut.
Prosecutors say Priester stood up, started removing his shirt, and ran to the back of the plane yelling ‘help me’.
He then grabbed a seated flight attendant and shouted ‘you’re coming with me’ as he ‘forcefully’ brought the crew member to the ground, prosecutors allege.
He then tried to drag the crew member up the aisle, but several other passengers stepped in and were able to get Priester back to his seat.
The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing and return to Bradley Airport, where Priester was later arrested.
Priester, who remains detained pending a bond hearing today, faces a maximum term of 20 years of imprisonment if convicted.
Despite passengers having helped Priester return to his seat after the attack, prosecutors allege that continued to act erratically and make incoherent remarks.
Priester was removed from the plane by Connecticut State Police and transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.