Woman Gets Probation in Flight Rage Case - Updated

(Denver, Colorado) In November 2008, Christina Szele pleaded guilty in accordance with a plea agreement to interfering with a flight crew. Szele admitted to the facts in the case.

During a JetBlue flight from New York to San Francisco on June 18, 2008, Szele started smoking a cigarette at her seat, according to the stipulated facts of her plea agreement.

She was confronted by a flight attendant, and in response, she screamed obscenities and racial slurs at the flight attendant.

She had to be restrained with plastic, flex handcuffs, but broke free, punched an attendant in the face and broke the attendant's jaw, the FBI said. She also assaulted a second JetBlue employee who was asked to sit next to her during the flight.

A second attempt to restrain her was successful but the captain of Flight 643 diverted to Denver International Airport, where she was arrested.

Although Szele originally faced a possible 20 years in prison, U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane yesterday sentenced her to five years of probation, during which she is prohibited from flying on commercial aircraft.

Szele was also ordered to attend drug and alcohol abuse and anger management treatment. Restitution to JetBlue of approximately $8,000 was also ordered.


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Woman Guilty in Flight Rage Case - Updated
[Previous 11/30/08 post]
(Denver, Colorado) In June 2008, a 35-year-old New York woman, Christina Elizabeth Szele, was accused of interfering with the crew on a flight from New York to San Francisco.

The flight was diverted to Denver where Szele was arrested on federal charges of assault and interfering with a flight attendant. She was later released on $10,000 bond.

After returning to New York, Szele was arrested for misdemeanor assault and for testing positive for cocaine. Being found with cocaine is a violation of her bond conditions. The U.S. Attorney in Queens has indicated that Szele will be tried in Colorado.

Through her attorney, Szele has filed a notice of disposition, indicating her intent to plead guilty.

If convicted of interference with a flight crew, Szele faces up to 10 years in federal prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted of assault, she faces up to six months in prison, and fine of $10,000 for each of the two counts.

It appears that Szele has a low boiling point which is not necessarily a beneficial attribute in the joint.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy


[Update 11/30/08]

(Denver, Colorado) This past week, Christina Szele pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of interfering with a flight crew. She faces a possible 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 when sentenced on February 5th.