American Airlines — A 24-year-old Kansas man is facing serious federal charges after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant during a chaotic mid-air incident on an American Airlines flight bound for Chicago from Bradley International Airport.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Julius Jordan Priester, a resident of Wichita, Kansas, stood up about 30 minutes into the flight on Tuesday, May 27, began removing his shirt, and ran to the back of the plane shouting, “Help me!”
Federal prosecutors say Priester then grabbed a seated flight attendant, shouted “You’re coming with me,” and forcefully pulled the crew member to the floor before attempting to drag them up the aisle. Several passengers jumped in to restrain him and returned him to his seat, though he continued to behave erratically and make incoherent remarks.
The pilot declared an emergency and diverted the plane back to Bradley, where Connecticut State Police boarded the aircraft upon landing and arrested Priester. He was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and remains in federal custody.
American Airlines praised the quick action of the flight crew and passengers in a public statement:
“We do not tolerate violence, and we thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance.”
The condition of the assaulted flight attendant has not been made public.
Criminal History and Federal Charges
Prosecutors confirmed that Priester has a criminal history in Kansas, including an aggravated assault charge. He is now facing a federal charge of interfering with flight crew members, a serious offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
What Happens Next?
Priester is expected to appear in federal court in the coming days. If convicted, his sentence could set a legal precedent for mid-air assault cases as airlines continue to grapple with rising incidents of in-flight disruptions.