Kansas man charged after attempting to drag flight attendant on American Airlines flight
Flight diverted after passenger attacks crew member and drags flight attendant down aisle.
Julius Jordan Priester, a 24-year-old man from Kansas, caused chaos aboard an American Airlines flight on May 27. Approximately 30 to 60 minutes after takeoff from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, Priester began removing his shirt and yelling for help as he moved toward the rear of the plane.
He then forcibly grabbed a flight attendant, shouting, “You’re coming with me,” and attempted to drag the crew member up the aisle.
Mid-flight assault to a flight attendant
Many passengers tried to help the flight attendant and were able to get Priester back to his seat. According to authorities, the man did not stop acting erratically nor making incoherent statements after the incident.
Due to safety reasons, the airplane had to divert back to Bradley Airport. After it landed, the man was released into police custody and taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation
Julius Jordan Priester charged with assaulting flight crew member
Prister will remain detained, pending on a bond hearing. He could be charged with up to a max of 20 years of jail after interfering with flight crew members.
American Airlines, showed their support to their crew, stating they do “not tolerate violence,” and thanked their team for their professionalism.
