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Man hits sleeping passenger on flight from San Francisco: FBI

Man hits sleeping passenger on flight from San Francisco: FBI

A United Airlines plane seen at San Francisco International Airport. (KTVU//Jaden Schaul)

The FBI arrested a man after saying he punched a sleeping passenger on a United Airlines flight out of San Francisco, causing blood spatter and bruising.

A jury trial against Everett Chad Nelson is scheduled for Dec. 11, with prosecutors promising to present evidence within one day.

Attempts to speak to Nelson or his federal public defender Thursday were unsuccessful.

In an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, an FBI agent described what allegedly happened on the plane to Dulles International Airport on Monday around 12:30 p.m.

About two hours into the flight, an FBI agent said Nelson left his seat at the back of the plane and began walking to the bathroom at the front of the plane.

According to the affidavit, he exited the bathroom, stopped in seat 12F and began “physically attacking” the sleeping passenger “by punching him repeatedly in the face and head until he drew blood.”

Photo of Everett Chad Nelson with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office courtesy of FOX 5.

The passenger had bruises on his eyes and a cut on his nose. The FBI wrote that there was blood spatter on the lime green sleeves of Nelson’s windbreaker.

The assault lasted a minute, during which the man began screaming and another passenger intervened and dragged Nelson, according to the complaint.

Nelson was then moved to the front of the plane and observed by a passenger who stepped in to help.

The doctor on board examined the man and treated his abrasions.

KGO-7 said the man did deaf and using sign language to communicate.

The FBI says there were multiple witnesses who saw what happened.

Nelson suffered no injuries.

No motive for the attack was given.

Court documents show Nelson was in federal custody as of Wednesday.

A United spokeswoman said in an email that “thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers,” the passenger was able to become immobilized. The plane landed safely and was met by paramedics and law enforcement.

The FAA said its agents would investigate.

To date in 2024, airlines have reported over 1,700 incidents involving unruly passengers. Civil penalties can cost up to $37,000 per violation.

This story was reported from Oakland, California.