Woman Accused Of Disrupting Flight To VA Indicted

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A 40-year-old Illinois woman accused of disrupting a 15-hour, nonstop flight from Abu Dhabi to Northern Virginia last month was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11 for assaulting and interfering with flight crew members, according to court records

The jury charged Sophiyaa Sahu with two counts of interference with flight crew members and attendants; assault by striking, beating, and wounding aboard an aircraft in flight; and simple assault aboard an aircraft in flight, according to court documents.

The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police contacted the FBI about a disturbance that occurred during a Ethad Airways flight to Washington Dulles International Airport on Feb. 13.

About seven hours into the flight Sahu raised her voice at a flight attendant who was conducting meal and beverage service, according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia, as part of a request for an arrest warrant.

"Victim 1 [the flight attendant] asked Sahu to calm down," according to the affidavit. "However, she stood up in the aisle and continued speaking at a high volume, which garnered the attention of numerous other passengers. Victim-1 attempted to move the meal and beverage cart further down the aisle away from Sahu, knowing that she was agitated. When he turned his back to move the cart, Sahu kicked him in his hip area above the left buttocks and near his lower back. Sahu was wearing black boots with a heel."

Although the flight attendant attempted to de-escalate the situation, Sahu continued to raise her voice and began calling the victim names and cursing at him, according to court records. She then stood on her seat and began shouting obscenities at the flight attendant.

Sahu sat back down and second attendant, who was the flight manager, tried to calm her down, according to the affidavit. However, Sahu stood up again and began yelling at the flight manager.

"During the interaction, Sahu pushed Victim-2's [flight manager] shoulder three to four times and, when Victim-2 lifted her hands to prevent another push, Sahu slapped Victim-2’s hand," according to the affidavit. "Victim-2 walked away, and ensured that the flight crew had a restraint kit prepared. After Victim-2 walked away, Sahu sat back down and remained seated throughout the rest of the flight. The crew did not have to use the restraints."

Witnesses told the FBI that Sahu called the flight attendants “whores” and “mother f---ers," according to the affidavit. One passenger said that Sahu yelled for approximately 20-30 minutes. Victim-1 reported feeling pain and discomfort in his left buttocks and hip area upon arrival.

Once the flight had landed in Virginia, Sahu, who had both a U.S. passport and an Illinois identification card, agreed to speak to the FBI, according to the affidavit.

Also See ...

• IL Woman Kicks, Strikes Attendants On Flight To Dulles: FBI
• Drone Video Catches Reston Suspect Peeping Through Windows: Police
• 3 Killed, 2 Injured In Single-Car Crash In Reston

Although Sahu denied kicking the flight attendant or pushing or slapping the flight manager, she did admit to standing on her seat and making a public speech to the rest of the passengers, according to the affidavit. She claimed that she had been provoked by the flight attendant, who she said made inappropriate comments and gestures at her.

If convicted on the assault charge, Sahu faces a possible sentence of up to six months in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000, under the U.S. Code. The interference with fight crew members is the more serious charge. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to up to 20 years in a federal prison and/or a fine.