A woman who assaulted members of a JetBlue flight crew who tried to stop her from smoking in her seat was indicted by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court.
Christina Elizabeth Szele, 35, of Woodside, N.Y., is free on $10,000 bail, with the condition that she not travel by air.
The indictment was handed down Monday and unsealed on today. She is charged with two counts of assault and one count of interfering with a flight crew.
Authorities say that Szele was smoking a cigarette in her seat and when confronted by a flight attendant, she yelled obscenities and racial slurs. Court records say the crew put Szele in flex cuffs and that she broke through and punched the flight attendant.
The indictment also says Szele assaulted a second JetBlue employee assigned to sit next to her to control the situation.
The June 17 flight was diverted to Denver International Airport because of the disturbance. The plane was originally en route from New York to San Francisco.
“The ‘anything goes on an airplane’ culture must end,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid. “Mess with a commercial flight crew and expect to face the consequences.”
“Ms. Szele left the crew with no choice but to ensure the flight and passengers remained safe,” said FBI special agent in charge James Davis. “There is no excuse for making anyone feel like their safety is threatened.”
If Szele is convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com
