Man accused of throwing snacks at flight attendant

Friday, July 15, 2011

SALT LAKE CITY - A Utah man has lost his flying privileges and passport after authorities say he pelted a flight attendant with peanuts and pretzels on a Southwest Airlines plane from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.

KUTV reports Pogos Paul Sefilian of Sandy was in court Thursday on a federal charge of interference with a flight crew.

Authorities say Sefilian was on a flight Monday evening when he attempted to smoke an electronic cigarette. A complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court says a flight attendant repeatedly told him to put away the device.

Authorities say Sefilian became enraged and threw snacks at the attendant.

He was released from jail and ordered to wear a GPS tracking device as he awaits another court date. His lawyer, Parker Douglas, tells KUTV he thought the restrictions were reasonable.