A man was convicted yesterday (Thursday) of assaulting a fellow passenger during a flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport.
In an incident that made national headlines, Everett Chad Nelson, a 44-year-old man from Stafford, was arrested by the FBI on Oct. 28, 2024 after he repeatedly punched a deaf passenger who was sleeping on United Airlines Flight 2247 “without provocation,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
More from the press release:
Without provocation, Nelson approached a sleeping, deaf passenger over twenty rows ahead of his seat, entered the passenger’s row, and began brutally punching the passenger in the face. Nelson punched the victim repeatedly and rapidly, using both hands, and landing forceful, violent blows on the victim’s cheeks, nose, and forehead. Nelson caused serious bodily injury to the victim, breaking his nose and leaving the victim with injuries that have required months of medical treatment.
Another passenger, sitting a few rows ahead, heard the commotion, saw the altercation, ran towards the assault and restrained Nelson. The flight crew relocated Nelson and secured him for the remainder of the flight. Nelson was arrested by the FBI upon the flight’s arrival at Dulles.
The incident continued an uptick in disruptive behavior by airplane passengers following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports remain elevated above pre-pandemic levels but have dropped significantly since peaking at 5,973 incidents in 2021, according to Federal Aviation Administration data.
According to court records, a grand jury convened at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria indicted Nelson on two assault charges on Nov. 14, 2024: one for an assault that resulted in serious bodily injury and another for assault by striking, beating and wounding.
After a trial, he was found guilty on both counts by a federal jury, which had to reach a unanimous verdict for a conviction. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nelson could face up to 10 years in prison.
“Sentencing will be set for a later date,” the U.S. Attorney said. “Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.”
