Woman Ordered to Pay Over $38,000 in Restitution for Interference with Flight Crew on Hawaii-Bound Flight

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Cayla Farris, 29, of Hawaii, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During her term of supervised release, Farris will not be permitted to travel by commercial aircraft without prior approval. Farris was ordered to pay $38,952.00 in restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs due to her actions. Farris pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023, to Interference with a Flight Crew Member.

On February 13, 2022, Farris boarded an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu, Hawaii. During the flight, Farris used profanity and threatened the flight crew and passengers onboard. As a result of her behavior, the flight crew was unable to continue their duties. The captain ultimately decided to turn the plane back to Phoenix. For passengers onboard, this disturbance caused several flights to be re-routed to Hawaii.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Phoenix Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-01393-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-176_Farris

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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