A Washington, DC man has been charged with threatening flight attendants during a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport. The incident led to his arrest, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Kedus Yacob Damtew, 38, faces one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. He appeared before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh in Washington, DC federal court and was released.
Court documents detail that on June 12, 2024, Damtew removed his shirt and pushed his chest against a flight attendant, pinning them against the aircraft exit door while shouting threats and punching an oven. He continued the aggressive behavior at the rear of the plane until passengers helped restrain him using flex cuffs.
The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents from the FBI's Newark office for their investigation and thanked the Port Authority Police Department for its assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs is representing the government in this case.
"The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations," emphasized officials, "and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
Defense counsel for Damtew is Elizabeth Mullin, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender based in Washington, DC.