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AMERICAN AIRLINES

Judge orders woman to pay $38K for interfering with Phoenix-to-Hawaii flight

A 29-year-old woman from Hawaii, who has served more than three months in prison, has to pay restitution to American Airlines for delaying a flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Hawaii, a judge ruled.

Cayla Farris was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During her term of supervised release, Farris will not be permitted to travel by commercial aircraft without prior approval, according to a release.

Farris also was ordered to pay $38,952 in restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs due to her actions. Farris pleaded guilty on Sept. 12 to interference with a flight crew member.

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AMERICAN AIRLINES

Judge orders woman to pay $38K for interfering with Phoenix-to-Hawaii flight

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A 29-year-old woman from Hawaii, who has served more than three months in prison, has to pay restitution to American Airlines for delaying a flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Hawaii, a judge ruled.

Cayla Farris was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During her term of supervised release, Farris will not be permitted to travel by commercial aircraft without prior approval, according to a release.

Farris also was ordered to pay $38,952 in restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs due to her actions. Farris pleaded guilty on Sept. 12 to interference with a flight crew member.

Farris boarded an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu on Feb. 13, 2022, the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.

“During the flight, Farris used profanity and threatened the flight crew and passengers onboard. As a result of her behavior, the flight crew was unable to continue their duties,” officials said in the release.

“The captain ultimately decided to turn the plane back to Phoenix. For passengers onboard, this disturbance caused several flights to be re-routed to Hawaii.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Phoenix Police Department conducted the investigation in the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

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