Introduction to the Incident
Court records have revealed a disturbing incident that occurred on a small regional flight to Miami, where a passenger attacked a flight attendant, exhibited violent behavior, and swallowed rosary beads. The flight, operated by Envoy Air, a regional carrier for American Airlines, was forced to return to the airport in Savannah, Georgia, due to the passenger’s actions.
Details of the Incident
According to an FBI agent’s affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, the passenger was traveling with his sister, who claimed that her brother told her to "close her eyes and pray because Satan’s disciple(s) had followed them onto the plane" before the violent outburst. The 31-year-old passenger’s behavior became a concern for the flight attendants immediately after takeoff, as he appeared to have a "fit of epilepsy" that included "stomping, incoherent yelling, and shaking."
Confrontation with the Flight Attendant
When a flight attendant approached the man, he turned in his seat and kicked the attendant in the chest, sending the worker flying into a window across the aisle. The passenger then started kicking and punching the seat of the person in front of him, who moved before the back of the seat collapsed. The pilots returned to the Savannah airport, and after the plane landed, the man charged toward the exit and threw punches at another flight attendant before being subdued by other passengers.
Aftermath and Arrest
The passenger was apprehended by airport police and taken to a local hospital for "ingestion of rosary beads." He was then booked into the Chatham County jail on charges including misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor obstruction of police, and a felony count of criminal property damage. Federal court records and online jail records did not list an attorney for the arrested passenger.
Background and Motivation
The passenger’s sister told the FBI agent that they were traveling to Haiti "to flee religious attacks of a spiritual nature." According to the affidavit, the woman said her brother had "swallowed the rosary beads because they are a weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare." The woman claimed that her brother was not suffering from mental health problems or medical issues.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and security of passengers and crew members on flights. The passenger’s violent behavior and motivations are still unclear, but the consequences of his actions are evident. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and prompt action in responding to potential threats on flights.
FAQs
- What happened on the flight to Miami?
A passenger attacked a flight attendant, exhibited violent behavior, and swallowed rosary beads, forcing the plane to return to the airport in Savannah, Georgia. - What were the charges against the passenger?
The passenger was charged with misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor obstruction of police, and a felony count of criminal property damage. - Why did the passenger swallow the rosary beads?
According to the passenger’s sister, he swallowed the rosary beads because they are a "weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare." - Was anyone seriously hurt during the incident?
No, no one was seriously hurt on the flight. - What is the current status of the passenger?
The passenger is currently in jail, and federal court records and online jail records do not list an attorney for him.
