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Press Release

Woman Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Assault Aboard an Aircraft

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

United States Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that KATE LOHAN, age 33, a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information for committing assault while aboard an aircraft.  

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Wilkinson, Jr. sentenced LOHAN to one year of probation with continued substance abuse treatment and ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $7,212.25 for costs incurred such as a landing fee, fuel charges, flight delays, etc.

According to court documents, on November 25, 2015, LOHAN was a ticketed passenger on JetBlue flight number 101 traveling from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.  She became disruptive prior to takeoff after she was told by a flight attendant to put her seat in the upright position. During the course of the flight, witnesses stated that LOHAN was continuing to be disruptive, and later threw a cell phone at one of the flight attendants. Her actions caused the flight to be diverted to New Orleans.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri was in charge of the prosecution.

Updated June 28, 2016

Topic
National Security