U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

FBI JACKSON, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Contact: SA Jason Pack
(601) 948-5000

Press Release
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2007

ARIZONA MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALTERCATION ABOARD AN AIRCRAFT

An Arizona man was arrested by the FBI following a disturbance aboard an aircraft which was diverted to the Jackson-Evers International Airport. EDWARD UBER, 32, of Mesa, Arizona, was arrested by Special Agents of the Jackson FBI on Thursday evening following an investigation into an altercation which occurred on Southwest Flight 1426.

The flight departed Phoenix, Arizona, and was bound for Orlando, Florida, when UBER reportedly began spitting at and cursing a flight attendant for refusing to serve him more alcoholic beverages. Witnesses also reported UBER became irate and began swinging at passengers and crew members.

UBER was handcuffed and placed in the galley while the flight was diverted to Jackson, where it landed safely. UBER was removed from the plane and taken into custody by Airport Police. No passengers were injured and the flight left Jackson for Orlando after approximately a two hour delay.

"Thanks to the quick thinking flight attendants and the assistance of several passengers, a threatening in-flight situation was diffused before anyone was seriously injured," said Frederick T. Brink, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI in Mississippi.

A one-count criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Friday charges UBER federally with interfering with a flight crew member and attendant, in violation of Title 49, U.S.C., Section 46504.

UBER will make an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson on June 15 at 1:30 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Jackson. If convicted, UBER faces up to twenty years in federal prison. Mr. Brink added, "In addition to the aircraft's passengers and crew members, we also appreciate the efforts of the Jackson International Airport Police and the TSA in this investigation."

SAC Brink stressed that the charges against UBER are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.