Ariel James Pennington, a 35-year-old from Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight attendant on a flight diverted to Oklahoma City.
On January 18, 2022, Ariel James Pennington pleaded guilty to interference with a flight attendant, announced Robert J. Troester, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
The incident occurred on board a Delta flight on December 9, 2021, from Arlington, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California. Pennington allegedly assaulted and intimidated a flight attendant, thereby interfering with the flight attendant’s ability to perform their duties.
At sentencing, Ariel James Pennington will face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Oklahoma City Field Office and the Oklahoma City Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley L. Altshuler and Lori Hines.
Pennington’s plea agreement includes the dismissal of Count 2 of the indictment at sentencing. A sentencing date will be set by the court in approximately 90 days.
This case highlights the importance of airline safety and the consequences of interfering with flight crew members.
Ariel James Pennington, Interference with Flight Attendant, Oklahoma 2022
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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