A Portland man whose disruptive actions over not being served a beer diverted an Alaska Airlines flight in March pleaded not guilty to the charge of interfering with a flight crew today.
A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday says 32-year-old Luke Watts of Portland, Oregon, threatened to become violent if attendants refused to serve him beer on the flight from Sacremento, California, to Seattle, Washington.
According to U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff, Watts also locked himself in the plane’s bathroom while screaming and pounding on the door. During the incident, he even demanded hugs from flight attendants.
The Alaska Airline pilot on the flight decided to land in Portland, Oregon, due to concerns over potential violence.
Following Watts’ plea today, U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta allowed the Portland man to remain free while awaiting trial.
