An American Airlines passenger who flew into an in-flight rage after being denied a beer — reportedly screaming and spitting blood — faces up to a possible 20 years in prison for the fracas.
Jason Felix was flying from St. Croix to Miami last Wednesday when the incident occurred, according to an FBI affidavit, The Washington Post reported.
"You need to please sit down," a flight attendant told an argumentative Felix whom earlier had been rummaging around the back of the plane and in the bathroom, the Post reported. "You're not drinking any more beers. We'll be there in an hour."
"Are you my bartender?" Felix asked the attendant.
"Yes, I am your bartender," the attendant answered.
The bureau and local police are investigating the matter. A fellow passenger, Bill Bolduc, caught part of the argument on camera.
A man who had the aisle seat next to Felix later told authorities he knew Felix from his work as a police officer in the U.S. Virgin Islands and his reputation was not a good one, the Post reported.
After the flight attendant walked away, Felix and his seatmate were seen hitting each other in the aisle as other passengers attempted to pull them apart, the Post reported.
They were eventually able to wrestle Felix back into his seat, but not before – according to his seatmate – he had spit blood and torn the shirt of the police officer, the Post reported.
The FBI affidavit said Felix yelled: "I'm going to kill you. I know you are a cop."
The officer was given another seat while passengers tried to calm Felix down through the remainder of the flight, the Post reported.
Four police officers boarded the plane in Miami and escorted Felix passenger into the airport where he was arrested for attempting to interfere with a flight crew, a sentence that could carry up to 20 years in jail.
His detention hearing is Tuesday in Florida.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.