California man arrested after allegedly kicking, trying to choke flight attendants
Federal authorities have arrested an Alameda County man after he allegedly assaulted flight attendants while traveling from Orange County to San Francisco, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Charles Angel Salva, 30, of Fremont, was on a Frontier Airlines flight from John Wayne Airport to San Francisco International Airport on Monday when, authorities say, he pulled down an oxygen mask from the overhead compartment shortly after takeoff and began yelling obscenities at flight attendants.
“We are all going to hell,” he said, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office. “This airplane is going down!”
He then allegedly grabbed at passengers and ran to the back of the plane as flight attendants tried to restrain him. Passengers helped restrain Salva using a seat belt after he broke out of flex cuffs.
Since 2021, the FAA has referred more than 310 cases of unruly passengers to the FBI for criminal prosecution. Many cases involved a passenger physically assaulting or sexual harassing other passengers and crew members.
Salva attempted to choke a flight attendant and kicked another approximately six times in the leg, causing bruising and swelling, according to federal officials.
The affidavit also alleges that Salva said he was going to kill everybody.
The flight diverted to Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County, as flight attendants did not feel safe trying to put Salva back in his seat.
A 13-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted during a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Orlando is suing Delta Air Lines, claiming it was negligent for serving her attacker alcohol and failed to restrain him after he was found to be molesting the teen.
A passenger later told officials that Salva appeared claustrophobic and seemed like he wanted to get off the plane.
Salva was arrested Wednesday and is charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
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