A Kansas man faces federal charges after allegedly attacking a flight attendant aboard an American Airlines flight, forcing an emergency landing at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
Julius Jordan Priester, 24, of Wichita, was arrested following the incident that occurred on American Airlines Flight 3359 on May 27, 2025.
The flight departed Bradley International Airport at approximately 9:30 p.m., bound for Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. According to court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, the incident began 30 minutes to one hour into the flight when Priester stood up and began removing his shirt.
Prosecutors allege Priester ran to the back of the aircraft yelling for help before grabbing a seated flight attendant. The Department of Justice stated that Priester shouted “you’re coming with me” and forcefully brought the crew member to the ground. He then attempted to drag the flight attendant up the aisle of the aircraft.
Several passengers intervened during the assault, helping to return Priester to his seat. However, authorities report he continued acting erratically and making incoherent statements throughout the remainder of the incident. The disruptive behavior prompted the flight captain to declare an emergency and divert the aircraft back to its departure airport.
Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows the plane turned around over the Finger Lakes region of New York before heading back to Connecticut. The aircraft landed safely at Bradley International Airport just before 11 p.m. on May 27.
Upon landing, Connecticut State Police removed Priester from the aircraft and transported him by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation. He was subsequently arrested and charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants, a federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Priester appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 28. The court ordered him detained pending a bond hearing scheduled for May 30. U.S. Attorney David Sullivan’s office is prosecuting the case, which is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from Connecticut State Police.
American Airlines responded to the incident with a statement emphasizing the company’s zero-tolerance policy regarding violence. The airline thanked team members for their professionalism and customers for their assistance during the emergency situation.
Federal authorities have not disclosed any potential motive for Priester’s actions aboard the aircraft. The charges stem from his alleged assault of the flight crew member and interference with flight operations. The maximum 20-year prison sentence reflects the serious nature of crimes committed aboard commercial aircraft under federal aviation security laws.
This incident represents one of several recent cases involving disruptive passengers on commercial flights. Federal aviation authorities have increased enforcement efforts targeting unruly passenger behavior, particularly incidents involving physical assault of crew members or interference with flight operations.
The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by airline crews in managing passenger behavior during flight operations. Flight attendants and pilots receive training in de-escalation techniques, but incidents requiring passenger intervention and emergency landings represent serious safety concerns for commercial aviation.
Priester remains in federal custody pending his bond hearing. The FBI continues investigating the circumstances surrounding the assault, working with Connecticut State Police to gather evidence and witness statements from passengers and crew members aboard the flight.