According to federal prosecutors, a New York lady was given a four-month jail term for interfering with crew members on an aircraft that had to be diverted to Phoenix last year while on route from Dallas to Los Angeles.
On February 24, 2021, the jet arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and it was reported that Kelly Pichardo and another first-class passenger displayed aggressive conduct throughout the journey. Both ladies had to be removed off the aircraft.
The ladies allegedly shouted racist insults when a male passenger requested them to stop after they each attacked a passenger throughout the trip, according to the authorities.
When the guy attempted to take a video of the confrontation, Pichardo reportedly spat at him.
The FBI and Phoenix police looked into the situation, and the two ladies were charged with disorderly conduct after verbally and physically abusing passengers and flight attendants.
According to the prosecution, Pichardo, a 32-year-old Bronx resident, was sentenced to pay American Airlines roughly $9,200 in reparation as a consequence of the dispute.
After completing her jail term, Pichardo will reportedly undergo three years of supervised release.
“There is a line between boorish behavior on an airplane and criminal activity, and the defendant clearly crossed it,” U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino said. “First class passengers are not immune from prosecution: defendant’s verbal and physical intimidation disrupted the travel of passengers and crew alike.”
The other female passenger involved in the incident, Leeza S. Rodriguez, has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in November.
After the incident, American Airlines said the two women were “placed on the internal refuse list pending further investigation.”
Each airline keeps its own internal ban list, which is separate from the federal No-Fly list. Delta Airlines, which said it has banned more than 1,600 passengers since the federal government started requiring passengers to wear