Authorities say she poured a drink on fellow passengers, punched one in the head and struck another in the face
NEWARK -- Federal authorities have charged a woman with assaulting her fellow passengers on an Amsterdam-bound flight, causing the plane to be diverted to Newark Liberty International Airport.
A federal air marshal onboard United Flight 20 from Houston on Wednesday saw Kirsten Lucille Ramirez become intoxicated and unruly during the flight, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Newark.
The air marshal witnessed Ramirez's behavior escalate over the course of the flight, beginning with an incident in which she intentionally poured her drink on two passengers without provocation, the affidavit says.
About 15 minutes later, Ramirez allegedly punched a passenger in front of her in the head, prompting flight attendants to move the passenger, whom Ramirez didn't know, to another seat.
Flight attendants warned Ramirez she would be arrested if her behavior continued.
About two hours later, the air marshal intervened and arrested Ramirez after she allegedly struck another passenger in the face with her hand.
Ramirez was handcuffed and moved to a different seat, and was taken into custody by Port Authority police after the flight landed in Newark. She was released on her own recognizance after making an initial appearance Thursday in federal court, court records show.
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