A California man was arrested and is set to face federal charges after he allegedly tried to choke a flight attendant.
CrimesChroniclers learnt that he also said he was going to kill everybody” while on board a Frontier Airlines flight to San Francisco that had to be diverted on Monday.
According to CNN, 30-year-old Charles Angel Salva, of Fermont, made an initial court appearance Wednesday and was charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants.
According to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, the airplane was climbing shortly after takeoff from Orange County, California, when flight attendants noticed oxygen masks in one of the plane’s rows were out of the overhead compartment.
“Flight attendants investigated and discovered that Salva had his hand in the overhead compartment,” the US Attorney’s Office said.
A passenger told law enforcement that it appeared Salva was “claustrophobic” and “seemed like he wanted to get off the plane,” the US Attorney’s Office said, adding that the man got his hand stuck in the overhead compartment after he pulled the oxygen mask from there.
An Albuquerque, New Mexico flight was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a disturbance with a disruptive passenger Tuesday afternoon, according to an American Airlines spokesperson.
During the incident, Salva yelled obscenities at flight attendants and allegedly said, “We are all going to hell,” and “This airplane is going down,” the release said.
“Passengers helped restrain Salva, who broke out of flex cuffs and had to be restrained by a seatbelt.
“During the incident, Salva kicked one flight attendant approximately six times in the leg, causing apparent bruising and swelling, which required medical attention,” the release said.
The flight attendant whom he allegedly attempted to choke was also left with small marks to the neck, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
The flight attendants did not feel safe trying to put Salva back in his seat, and the flight was diverted to Ontario International Airport.
If convicted, according to CNN, Salva would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Salva is currently being held in the custody of the US Marshals Service, according to court records. His preliminary hearing is set for September 26.
