The American Airlines passenger arrested for assaulting a flight attendant last week has now been charged in federal court.
Reports say Brian Hsu was arrested as soon as the New York to California flight diverted to Denver.
During a brief appearance yesterday before a judge in Santa Ana, California, Hsu was ordered to appear in a federal courtroom in Denver later this month. He's charged with assault and with interfering with a flight crew.
Court documents suggest Hsu claims a flight attendant came at him and he was just defending himself, saying the flight attendant must have broken her nose when she charged him and ran into his open palm.
However, one witness tells investigators Hsu punched the flight attendant hard enough that her head slammed into the lavatory door.
American says Hsu has been banned for life. The flight attendants union says "these offenders must be held accountable for their actions."
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