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Press Release

Airline passenger pleads guilty to in-flight assault

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

              ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alton James Johnson, 43, of Yuba City, California, pleaded guilty in federal court on Jan. 12 to assaulting two flight attendants while he was a passenger.

              According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 23, 2019, during a flight from San Diego, CA, to Albuquerque, Johnson repeatedly touched a female flight attendant up and down her legs. After she told him to stop, Johnson then grabbed the flight attendant inappropriately. When a second flight attendant stepped in and asked Johnson not to touch any flight attendants, Johnson forcefully grabbed the second flight attendant by the arm. Johnson admitting to being under the influence of alcohol but conceded that he was in control of his actions when he committed the assaults.

               Johnson will remain in custody pending sentencing. He faces six months in prison.

               The FBI investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.

Updated January 13, 2021

Press Release Number: 21-03