A 33-year-old Westminster man was charged Thursday, Sept. 22 with punching a flight attendant at the back of the pinnacle throughout a flight from Mexico to Los Angeles on Wednesday, authorities stated.
Alexander Tung Cuu Le may face a potential most sentence of 20 years in federal jail if convicted as charged of interference with flight crew members and attendants, Ciaran McEvoy, spokesman for the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace stated in an announcement.
Le was scheduled to make his first court docket look in Downtown Los Angeles Thursday, McEvoy stated.
The assault, aboard American Airways Flight 377 from San Jose del Cabo, was caught on video by a passenger, who supplied it to KTLA. It reveals the passenger speeding a flight attendant and hitting him at the back of the pinnacle after the attendant had turned and commenced strolling away.
A number of passengers witnessed the assault and helped to pin Le down close to the again of the airplane following the assault, McEvoy stated. Le’s fingers and legs have been cuffed and flight attendants had to make use of seatbelt extenders to maintain him restrained to a seat.
The episode started about 20 minutes after takeoff, when Le left his seat as flight attendants have been doing meals and beverage service. He allegedly grabbed one of many attendants by the left shoulder and requested for espresso, McEvoy stated. He then grabbed each of the attendant’s shoulders from behind and walked to the entrance of the airplane after the attendant rotated in a defensive posture.
Later, Le took a seat close to a wall dividing the first-class cabin from the primary cabin, McEvoy stated. A unique flight attendant requested Le to return to his seat, however Le allegedly stood up in a combating posture with closed fists.
Le took a swing, however missed, McEvoy stated. When the flight attendant turned to report Le’s conduct to the pilot, Le rushed the attendant and threw one other punch.
He was taken into custody after the plane landed at LAX.
American Airways issued an announcement Thursday saying Le has been completely banned from future American flights.