Conviction In Beating Of Deaf Passenger On VA Flight Appealed

DULLES, VA — A Stafford man filed an appeal Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit after receiving a prison sentence for attacking a deaf passenger during a flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport last year.

On Oct. 28, 2024, Everett Chad Nelson, 44, and the victim were passengers on United Airlines flight 2247 when the assault occurred.

“Without provocation, Nelson approached a sleeping, deaf passenger over twenty rows ahead of his seat, entered the passenger’s row, and began brutally punching the passenger in the face,” court records said. “Nelson punched the victim repeatedly and rapidly, using both hands, and landing forceful, violent blows on the victim’s cheeks, nose, and forehead. Nelson caused serious bodily injury to the victim, breaking his nose and leaving the victim with injuries that have required months of medical treatment.”

Another passenger who heard the commotion intervened and restrained Nelson for the remainder of the flight, court documents say. Nelson was arrested by the FBI once the plane landed at Dulles.

Also See ...

• Stafford Man Convicted Of Beating Deaf Passenger On Flight To Dulles
• Au Pair Reveals New Grisly Details Of Herndon Double Murder
• Former FAA Contractor Who Leaked Sensitive Information To Iran Sentenced
• 25 Felony Charges Filed Against Suspect In 14 Fairfax Co. Burglaries

After a federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia convicted Nelson on Feb. 6 of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault by striking, beating, and wounding, he returned to court on Tuesday for sentencing, according to court records

Although Nelson faced a possible sentence of 10 years in prison, U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema instead levied a 30-month sentence with credit for time served plus three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Justice Department. No monetary fine was assessed.

On Thursday, Nelson's attorney filed an appeal on Brinkema's Sept. 2 decision.