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Crime & Justice

Arizona realtor arrested after being duct-taped on diverted American Airlines flight

A 67-year-old Arizona realtor was restrained with duct tape on a New Jersey-bound American Airlines flight that was diverted to Baltimore, and was arrested shortly after landing.

During a flight from Texas to New Jersey, 67-year-old Arizona realtor Arthur Layne Lundeen erupted into a hostile outburst, hurling homophobic slurs and the N-word at a Black flight attendant. The situation intensified when he assaulted his seatmate, religious author Jonathan Cahn, after a brief conversation about his new novel. Crew and fellow passengers restrained Lundeen with duct tape on his arms, hands and head, and the pilot diverted the plane to Baltimore for an emergency landing.

Upon arrival, law enforcement officers cut the tape and escorted Lundeen off the aircraft within roughly 20 minutes. He was arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and assault and subsequently lost his job as a realtor.

Why it matters

The incident highlights airline safety concerns and the legal consequences of violent, hate-filled behavior on flights.

In this story

duct tapeflight diversionarresthate speechmisdemeanor chargesrealtorairline safety
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