Delta Flight Diverted After Passenger Is Accused of Slapping Flight Attendant

A Delta Air Lines passenger on a flight from Florida to Los Angeles has been charged after allegedly striking a flight attendant on the buttocks when he believed she had skipped him during drink service. The plane was diverted to Atlanta, where he was arrested on landing. Federal court documents say he now faces a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The incident happened on May 9 aboard Delta Flight 800 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Los Angeles, but drew fresh attention after a federal grand jury in Atlanta indicted the passenger on June 3. The flight attendant, identified only by the initials P.L.L., was serving drinks when she reached the seat of Cody James Mallock, 32. Believing he was asleep, she moved on to the next passenger. While serving someone nearby, she said she felt a hard enough blow to her buttocks to push her body forward.

She turned around and, according to the complaint, saw Mallock with his hands raised, saying, "I didn't do anything." She reported the matter to the crew leader, who informed the captain. Another flight attendant told investigators she heard a shout and saw her colleague lurch forward as if pushed or hit. She then stopped serving drinks in that area to help move the first attendant away from Mallock.

After the captain diverted the aircraft to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, police were waiting. The FBI took over the case, since it investigates crimes committed on commercial flights in the United States. In questioning, Mallock said he was wearing headphones and did not hear drink service being offered. He admitted touching the flight attendant on the buttocks, but denied doing so with enough force to make her move forward. He said he was not trying to hurt or disrespect her, only to get her attention after she passed him by. Delta said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unruly or violent behavior and will continue to work with law enforcement to protect employees and passengers.