Man charged with threatening crew aboard New Jersey-bound plane

A man from Washington, DC, was arrested for allegedly threatening flight attendants during an incident in which he had to be restrained by a flight crew and passengers while aboard a plane bound for Newark Liberty International Airport.

38-year-old Kedus Yacob Damtew is facing one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. He recently appeared in Washington, DC, federal court and was released.

According to federal authorities, on June 12th, 2024, shortly before landing on a flight from Houston, TX,

Damtew removed his shirt; pushed his bare chest into a flight attendant, pinning the flight attendant against the aircraft exit door; shouted epithets and threats of physical violence; and punched an aircraft oven. Damtew then followed the same flight attendant to the rear of the aircraft, where he continued to shout threats and epithets and threw a cup of water. Another flight attendant requested assistance over the airplane’s public address system, prompting several passengers to assist in securing Damtew in flex cuffs in the last row of the plane until the flight landed at Newark.

If convicted, Damtew faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger thanked special agents with the FBI and the Port Authority Police Department for their work in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs of the General Crimes Unit in Newark represents the government.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.