CALIFORNIA WOMAN INDICTED FOR ASSAULT ABOARD AN AIRCRAFT AND INTERFERING WITH A FLIGHT CREW MEMBER
Woman Made Threats and Assaulted Flight Attendant on Horizon Flight from Sea-Tac to Billings
KRISTA BAUER, 22, of Hanford, California, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Seattle for Assault Aboard an Aircraft and Interference with a Flight Crew Member. On August 25, 2007, a Horizon Air flight from Sea-Tac to Billings, Montana had to return to Sea-Tac after BAUER left her seat and assaulted the flight attendant shortly after take-off. BAUER was arrested in California on November 13, 2007, on an outstanding warrant and was ordered detained by a federal judge in the Eastern District of California.. BAUER will be brought to Seattle for arraignment next week.
According to documents filed in the case, shortly after the flight took off on August 25, 2007, BAUER got out of her seat on the plane and walked towards the front of the cabin. The flight attendant instructed BAUER to return to her seat until the plane had reached cruising altitude. BAUER ignored the request and grabbed the flight attendant around the head and neck and made statements such as “if anyone is going to die tonight it’ll be you” and “we must die.” Other passengers on the flight pulled BAUER off the attendant and restrained her until the plane had landed and returned to the gate at Sea-Tac. The flight attendant and other passengers on the flight who were interviewed by law enforcement officers stated that they feared for the safety of the flight attendant and other passengers on the flight. Officers who interviewed BAUER at Sea-Tac observed that she appeared intoxicated.
Assault Aboard an Aircraft is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. Interference with a Flight Crew Member is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kate Crisham.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office at (206) 553-4110.
