Federal authorities say a New York woman was sentenced to four months in jail for interfering with crew members on an aircraft that had to be diverted to Phoenix last year while travelling from Dallas to Los Angeles.
They claimed that Kelly Pichardo, 30, and Leeza Rodriguez, 29, both from the Bronx, were sitting in first class when they began threatening other travellers.
On February 24, 2021, as the aircraft touched down at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, police detained both women and took them away.
The women allegedly used racist slurs when a male passenger requested them to stop after they each assaulted a passenger throughout the flight, according to the authorities.
The individual, who was not identified, allegedly tried to record the altercation but Pichardo spat at him.
Rodriguez allegedly struck the male passenger’s hand to prevent him from recording them after he pulled out his phone.
The two ladies were charged with disorderly conduct, including verbally and physically abusing other passengers and flight staff members, after the FBI and Phoenix police conducted an investigation into the incident.
After the two passengers were taken into custody by police at Sky Harbor International Airport, the aircraft continued without further incident to Los Angeles.
According to the prosecution, Pichardo was sentenced to pay American Airlines almost $9,200 in restitution as a result of the altercation.
According to them, Pichardo will serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison term.
The second passenger who was involved in the event, Rodriguez, has admitted guilt and will be punished in November.
American Airlines issued the following statement: “We congratulate our crew members for their professionalism in handling a tough circumstance.”
According to the airline, their claimed behaviour was “disturbing and unacceptable.”
Future flights with the airline are now prohibited for both women.
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