OC Man Punches Flight Attendant, Faces Federal Charges

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — An Orange County man faced federal charges after punching a flight attendant mid-air during a flight from San José del Cabo to Los Angeles.

Alexander Tung Cuu Lee, 33, of Westminster, was scheduled to appear in court Thursday in Los Angeles, facing one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday. The charge comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

A stunning video posted to social media shows the moment a passenger swings at a flight attendant's head on an American Airlines flight from San José del Cabo, Mexico to Los Angeles.

Le was about 20 minutes into the flight when he got out of his seat to request a coffee from a flight attendant doing beverage service, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, which referenced an affidavit filed with the complaint.

Le grabbed the flight attendant's shoulders from behind, and then walked to the front of the plane, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He "loitered" near the first-class cabin and sat in the aisle until a different flight attendant asked Le to return to his seat.

What happened next is caught on video.

"Around this time, Le allegedly swung his arm at the flight attendant and missed. The flight attendant decided to report Le’s behavior to the pilot, turned away from Le and walked towards the front of the airplane. At this time, Le rushed toward the flight attendant and punched him in the back of the head, which was witnessed by several passengers, including one who filmed the attack," said the U.S. Attorney's office.

Onlookers filmed and gasped as the man swung at the attendant.

A group of passengers ultimately subdued Le until flight attendants were able to strap him down to a seat with cuffs and, after continued resistance, seatbelt extenders, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.