Indictment Unsealed Against Passenger Who Allegedly Caused Plane Diversion

An indictment is unsealed against a California man who is accused of assaulting a flight attendant and federal air marshal, causing the flight to be diverted to Oklahoma City. Forty-five-year-old James Ariel Pennington is charged with interference with a flight attendant and assault on a federal officer with physical contact. The incident took place on December 9th, 2021, on a flight from Arlington, Virginia, to Los Angeles. Pennington, who was taken into custody when the flight landed in Oklahoma City, faces up to 20-years in prison on each count and a 250-thousand-dollar fine.