PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5 / AP) – Two women accused of starting an in-flight altercation over alleged racist slurs that forced the plane to land in Phoenix are now charged with assault and disruption to a flight crew. The incident occurred on February 24 on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Los Angeles. Phoenix Police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said the women used racial slurs when a passenger asked them to stop using the language. Kelly Pichardo, 31, reportedly spat on the man who then started recording her. Fortune said Leeza Rodriguez, 30, and then slapped the man’s hand to prevent him from recording. The disruption resulted in the pilot being forced to make an unscheduled landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. When the flight landed, Phoenix Police Department officers arrested Pichardo and Rodriguez, both from the Bronx, New York, saying they verbally and physically assaulted other passengers and crew. The flight then continued to Los Angeles and arrived without further incident. Now the women are being tried in a federal court. Pichardo appeared at a virtual hearing on Wednesday and was charged with assault and disturbance of a flight crew member. Rodriguez is due to appear next week on the same charges. A grand jury had previously indicted the couple. A flight crew member conviction for disturbing a flight crew member could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $ 250,000. A simple assault conviction could result in a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of $ 5,000. American Airlines spokesman Derek Walls called the women’s behavior “troubling and unacceptable” and said in a statement that they have been placed on their “internal denial pending list” under further investigation Passengers are charged. Thanks to @FBIPhoenix and @PhoenixPolice for your continued work on this case. Https://t.co/rpX2905veX – US Attorney Arizona (@USAO_AZ) July 21, 2021 Copyright 2021 KPHO / KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation) All rights reserved.
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