A Kansas resident is facing charges for attacking an American Airlines flight attendant, having torn off his shirt, and forcibly thrown the staff member to the floor before dragging them along the aisle, according to legal authorities.
Julius Jordan Priester, aged 24 and from Wichita, was traveling on a flight departing from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut on May 27, when disturbances broke out at approximately 10 p.m.
“About 30 minutes to an hour after takeoff, Priester stood up, started removing his shirt, and rushed to the rear of the aircraft, shouting ‘Help me,'” stated David Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
“He then grabbed a flight attendant (‘the victim’), who was seated, shouted, ‘You’re coming with me,’ and forcefully brought the victim to the ground.”
Priester tried to drag the victim up the aisle, but was restrained by fellow passengers who jumped in to save the flight attendant.
The flight was diverted back to Bradley after the captain declared an emergency, officials said.
