A Tampa, Florida, man accused of a violent mid-air assault on a Delta Airlines flight bound for China pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to four federal felonies. Joseph Daniel Hudek IV, 24, admitted to attacking flight attendants and passengers during the July 16, 2017, transpacific flight, an incident that forced the plane to turn back to Seattle.
HUDEK was seated in first class with 210 other passengers and 11 crew members aboard the aircraft when, moments after exiting the restroom, he launched into a frenzy. Authorities say he lunged for the emergency exit lever while the plane was over the Pacific Ocean near Vancouver Island. Two flight attendants moved to stop him — one was thrown to the floor, the other punched in the face. When a passenger stepped in to help, HUDEK shattered a wine bottle over his head.
Chaos erupted as multiple passengers tackled HUDEK and pinned him down. One passenger lowered the exit door handle to prevent further access. The pilot declared an emergency and turned the aircraft around, landing safely in Seattle where FBI agents took HUDEK into custody.
In court filings, HUDEK admitted he had consumed marijuana edibles before boarding. That decision backfired legally: U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour previously ruled that HUDEK could not claim mental incapacity due to his voluntary use of cannabis. The ruling shut down any attempt to deflect blame from his actions.
The charges — one count of interference with a flight crew and three counts of assault in a special aircraft jurisdiction — carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. As part of his plea agreement, HUDEK has agreed to pay restitution to the injured victims, though the exact amount will be determined at sentencing.
HUDEK remains free on bond but is banned from flying. Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2018, before Judge Coughenour. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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