Dallas, TX - A man who injured a flight attendant in an attempt to exit a plane mid-air has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Dallas, TX - A man who injured a flight attendant in an attempt to exit a plane mid-air has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Abdul-al-Jabbar Oloruntoba Olaiya, 29, faces a criminal complaint for interfering with a flight crew by assault or intimidation within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United.
According to court, on Nov. 19, roughly two hours into the flight from Milwaukee to Dallas, Mr. Olaiya became frustrated with a flight attendant as she worked in the forward galley.
Witnesses reported to law enforcement that they heard Mr. Olaiya assert he was the "captain of this flight" and expressed his intent to "get off the plane."
He then reportedly charged at the flight attendant in an attempt to reach the aircraft's exit door. The flight attendant, identified in court documents as S.J., used her body to protect the door and was injured in the ensuing struggle.
Quick-thinking passengers rushed to assist her. They managed to subdue Mr. Olaiya and restrained his wrists and ankles with duct tape. With about 30 minutes remaining, the pilots decided to continue to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport, requesting priority landing and taxiing.
Upon landing, authorities promptly removed Mr. Olaiya from the aircraft for an immediate mental health evaluation.
A criminal complaint represents an allegation of conduct, not concrete evidence. Mr. Olaiya is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety are spearheading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas is prosecuting the case.