MSP Booze-Fueled Meltdown Lands California Woman In Jail, Police Say

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A California woman was arrested at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport after police say she refused to leave a Delta plane at the gate, shoved an airline worker, and later kicked an officer, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County.

Priya Swaminathan, 45, of San Jose, was charged June 2 with four misdemeanors, including obstructing the legal process with force, fifth-degree assault, disorderly conduct, and interference with flight operations.

The incident happened on June 1 aboard Delta flight DL2089, which was still parked at Gate C14 at Terminal 1, authorities said.

Swaminathan became upset after learning there was no overhead space left for her bags and that she would need to check them at the gate.

Police said she began yelling, pacing the aisle, and then pushed a Delta Red Coat employee in the chest, causing the employee to fear injury.

When officers boarded the plane, they found Swaminathan standing in the aisle, authorities said.

She refused to comply with orders to leave, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers removed her from the aircraft and attempted to escort her down the jet bridge stairs, but she allegedly resisted, kicked at an officer, nearly knocking him down the stairs, and knocked off police body cameras, police said.

At one point, she slipped out of her handcuffs inside a squad car and refused to buckle her seatbelt, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers noted that Swaminathan smelled strongly of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes.

The disturbance delayed the flight by about 20 minutes, Delta staff told police.

Swaminathan was booked into the Hennepin County Jail and released the next day after posting a $3,000 non-cash bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on June 16 in Minneapolis.