Airline passenger, in court in Wichita, is accused of threatening to take down plane

An airline passenger who allegedly threatened to bring down the plane he was on was charged Wednesday in federal court in Wichita.

Airport police on Tuesday removed Jason Baroletti, 38, of Holbrook, N.Y., from American Airlines Flight 622 from Phoenix to New York after it landed in Wichita following a disturbance.

Baroletti was accused of causing the disturbance after flight attendants told him to stop smoking an e-cigarette. Investigators said Baroletti argued with flight attendants, saying he had anxiety and wanted a drink.

When flight attendants refused to serve Baroletti alcohol, he became more upset and threatened to kill another passenger who had advised against giving Baroletti alcohol, according to prosecutors. Court documents allege that Baroletti said he would “slap the beard off the man’s face.”

Baroletti also is accused of saying he would “take the plane down” and kill other passengers on the flight, which carried 131 people.

The pilot landed the plane in Wichita to remove Baroletti, who was arrested at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport by airport police.

On Wednesday, federal prosecutors charged Baroletti with one count of interfering with the performance of the duties of flight crew members.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Airline passenger, in court in Wichita, is accused of threatening to take down plane."