Kansas Man Charged After Violent Airline Attack

Julius Jordan Priester, a 24-year-old from Kansas, was arrested and charged with federal offenses after allegedly attacking a flight attendant on an American Airlines flight from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago. About 30 to 60 minutes into the flight, Priester reportedly removed his shirt, shouted for help, and forcibly brought a seated flight attendant to the ground before attempting to drag them up the aisle while yelling, 'You're coming with me.' Both passengers and crew intervened, restraining Priester, who continued acting erratically. The captain declared an in-flight emergency and diverted the plane back to Bradley International Airport, where Priester was taken into custody and hospitalized for evaluation. Priester faces federal charges of interference with flight crew members, carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence, and is being held pending a bond hearing. American Airlines praised the professionalism of its crew and passengers, and authorities continue to investigate.