LOS ANGELES — An unruly airline passenger who was duct-taped to his seat by flight attendants has been convicted of interfering with a flight crew.
James Allen Cameron, 50, of Anaheim, Calif., was convicted Monday of disruptive behavior during an April 23, 2008, United Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. He also was charged for allegedly hitting an off-duty pilot during the flight, but the federal jury deadlocked on that count.
Prosecutors said Cameron had been drinking and was so belligerent and verbally abusive that crew members, a passenger and an off-duty pilot restrained his hands with plastic handcuffs. Still, prosecutors said, Cameron managed to punch a flight attendant. The crew then held Cameron down and duct-taped his legs and chest, prosecutors said. Cameron was again able to get loose and the crew eventually used several seat belt extensions and metal handcuffs to restrain him.
