A Maryland man who struck and knocked unconscious a gate agent at Dulles International Airport earlier this year pleaded guilty today (Thursday) to interfering with security screening personnel.
Christopher Stuart Crittenden faces a maximum of 10 years for the crime, though federal prosecutors will recommend a sentence no greater than the low end of sentencing guidelines, according to the terms of a plea agreement.
On March 13, an inebriated Crittenden punched a United Airlines gate agent in the face after learning that his flight had been delayed, according to court documents.
“The victim apologized for the delay and gave Crittenden his boarding pass,” an affidavit said. “Crittenden nevertheless continued to shout at the victim and other United staff about how the delay was ‘f-cked up.’”
The gate agent, who was knocked unconscious by the blow, suffered “contusions, bleeding, and significant pain in his head and shoulder areas” and requires “follow-up dental care” due to the incident, a statement of facts said.
Video posted to social media showed a man identified as Crittenden strike the gate agent, who subsequently fell to the floor.
United Airlines passenger punches a gate attendant at Washington Dulles International Airport when his flight was allegedly canceled and another fully booked.
Maryland resident Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, attempted to walk onto the jet bridge at Gate D12 inside the… pic.twitter.com/v5i6pxEDw2
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) March 15, 2025
Crittenden attempted to punch a second gate agent, “but that gate agent ducked and avoided the assault.”
The flight delay was Crittenden’s third travel issue of the day, TMZ reported, after his first flight was canceled and his second flight was overbooked.
Crittenden, 54, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
