A brazen act of violence on a Delta Airlines flight bound for China has ended with a guilty plea from the Tampa, Florida, man responsible. Joseph Daniel Hudek IV, 24, pleaded guilty to four federal felonies in connection with the July 16, 2017, incident, which occurred over the Pacific Ocean.
According to records in the case and the plea agreement signed today, HUDEK was seated in first class on the Delta flight that had 210 passengers on board and 11 crew members. The plane had just passed over Vancouver Island when HUDEK came out of the first-class bathroom and in an agitated state attempted to raise the lever of the exit door of the aircraft.
Two flight attendants attempted to stop HUDEK, and he threw one to the floor and punched the other. When a passenger attempted to assist the flight attendants, HUDEK hit him over the head with a wine bottle. Ultimately, multiple passengers were required to restrain HUDEK, and one lowered the exit handle of the door as the aircraft returned to Seattle.
In court filings, HUDEK admits he ingested marijuana edibles before the flight. However, in a pretrial ruling, Judge John C. Coughenour barred HUDEK from using a mental incapacity defense based on his voluntary consumption of marijuana.
HUDEK has agreed to pay restitution to the injured passengers in an amount to be determined at the sentencing hearing.
At sentencing, HUDEK faces up to 20 years in prison for the four federal felonies: interference with a flight crew and three counts of assault in a special aircraft jurisdiction.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the case was investigated by the FBI, and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs is prosecuting the case.
Joseph Daniel Hudek IV remains out of jail on bond but is prohibited from traveling on aircraft.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2018, before U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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