Belgian man faces up to 20 years in US prison for assaulting flight crew
A 43-year-old Belgian man was arrested in the United States on Monday for assaulting flight attendants and attempting to enter the cockpit on a flight earlier this year, US news channel NBC reported on Tuesday. The man faces 20 years in prison.
Jan D. was charged with interfering with flight crew by assault and intimidation, assault, and abusive sexual contact on an aircraft. He appeared in court in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday and was released after posting 100,000 dollars bail.
D. was a passenger on a Swiss International Airlines flight from Newark to Zurich, Switzerland, on 31 March this year. Shortly after take-off, he allegedly approached a flight attendant, grabbed her breasts and shook her while shouting at her.
After the flight attendant managed to free herself, D. allegedly tried to enter the cockpit, repeatedly punching and kicking the door. He then allegedly attacked another flight attendant, punching and kicking him several times. The crew eventually managed to restrain the man for the remainder of the flight, which returned to Newark Liberty International Airport.
If convicted, the man faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of 250,000 dollars, or 231,400 euros, on the charge of interfering with the crew. On the assault charge, he faces up to one year in prison and a 100,000 dollar fine. The charge of abusive sexual contact carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a 250,000 dollar fine.
© PHOTO CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP