Ariel Pennington is the man who has been arrested after getting involved in an altercation and assault with a flight attendant. It was heading towards LAX from Washington D.C.
Several media sources have covered the news that the Delta Flight, heading towards Los Angeles, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Oklahoma City.
Who Is Ariel Pennington?
Ariel Pennington is a man who has been identified as an unruly passenger of Delta Flight that was heading towards LAX. According to authorities, pilots had to make an emergency landing in Oklahoma after a passenger got involved in an altercation with a flight attendant and a U.S. air marshal.
7:14pm last night we were notified a @Delta flight diverted to OKC after flight attendant was assaulted by passenger. Officers boarded aircraft & took Ariel Pennington (7/17/1986) into custody. He was booked into jail on complaints of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
— Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) December 10, 2021
There are no details about how the incident started. However, it is reported that the male passenger somehow became upset and allegedly assaulted a flight attendant.
Thus, the air marshal intervened and diverted the flight to Oklahoma, and got the man arrested. Capt. Arthur Gregory of the Oklahoma City Police Department said the officers moved him away from the scene and kept him until the FBI arrived to question him.
On accusations of disorderly conduct and public intoxication, he was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Man Arrested After Assault On Flight Attendant In LAX Flight Identified As Ariel Pennington
The man arrested after assaulting a flight attendant on a Delta flight to LAX is Ariel Pennington. According to KTLA, after spending around 5 hours in jail and paying $334 in fines, he was released on bond.
There was no immediate indication on whether the flight attendant or the air marshal who intervened were injured. However, according to Gregory, the FBI is anticipated to press charges in the case.
Oklahoma City police tell me the unruly passenger is 35 year old Ariel Pennington. He was booked into jail on disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. @wusa9 https://t.co/hCRscySk2F
— Matt Gregory (@MattGregoryNews) December 10, 2021
Besides, the incident occurs amid belligerent passengers’ recent uptick, causing flight disruptions. Based on the Federal Aviation Administration data, more than 5,500 incidents have been documented this year.
Moreover, FAA has released a zero-tolerance policy against unruly passengers, leading to increased fines. As a result, some passengers have been charged with federal crimes.
Is Ariel Pennington In Jail?
Ariel Pennington is not in jail at present. After paying $335 fines and spending five hours in prison, he is released.
The flight was delayed because of the incident and finally made its way to LAX and landed around 10:30 pm.