Photo Courtesy of JFK Airport
Three L.I. women allegedly assaulted two Delta Airlines employees in September at JFK Airport.
By Forum Staff
Three Long Island women have been charged with assaulting two Delta Airlines employees in September at John F. Kennedy International Airport, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
Jordan Nixon, 21, Janessa Torres, 21, and Johara Zavala, 44, were arrested Thursday morning.
File Photo
“The friendly skies must not turn into chaos and turmoil because some passengers refuse to abide by the rules. Our airport personnel must be safe in order to keep the flying public safe,” DA Katz said.
As alleged in court filings, the defendants refused to leave a jetway at JFK Airport after they were informed that they would be denied boarding for a Delta Airlines scheduled flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The defendants were belligerent, with one appearing to be visibly disoriented and possibly intoxicated, and another who was refusing to properly wear her mask. The flight’s gate agent (“Employee 1”) notified the flight crew of the defendants’ belligerent conduct, and the captain of the flight and a member of the flight crew determined that the defendants should not be allowed to board the flight. The defendants refused the request of an airline security officer (“Employee 2”) to leave the jetway and approached him while yelling and cursing. One defendant struck Employee 2 repeatedly with his own radio, and he fell to the floor. When Employee 1 tried to assist Employee 2, one defendant punched Employee 1 in the face. All three defendants then punched and kicked Employee 2 in the face and body while Employee 2 was on the floor. Employees 1 and 2 were later treated at a hospital for their injuries.
“The defendants allegedly attacked two airline employees, who were simply doing their jobs,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “The friendly skies must not turn into chaos and turmoil because some passengers refuse to abide by the rules. Our airport personnel must be safe in order to keep the flying public safe.”
If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.
