Drunk passenger on transpacific flight pleads guilty to punching flight attendant while traveling to celebrate honeymoon with new wife

  • Kenji Okamoto, 30, was arrested after attacking flight attendant in a drunken rage
  • Okamoto claimed that he felt disrespected because flight attendant would not take his meal tray
  • Was on the way to Hawaii to celebrate honeymoon with new wife
  • Faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison

By Associated Press

Published: 21:47 EST, 13 June 2014 | Updated: 21:50 EST, 13 June 2014

A Japanese passenger plead guilty Friday to assaulting a flight attendant while in a drunken stupor on a flight from Osaka, Japan, to Honolulu, Hawaii.  

The passenger, Kenji Okamoto, 30, plead guilty in federal court to interfering with the duties of a flight attendant by assaulting and intimidating him.

According to a criminal complaint, Okamoto, who is from Kyoto, was flying first-class on a Delta Air Lines flight from Osaka for his honeymoon last month when flight attendants noticed he was drunk before takeoff.

Drunken passenger Kenji Okamoto, 30, was arrested after assaulting a flight attendant during a transpacific flight. Okamoto had been drinking in celebration of recent marriage and upcoming honeymoon

Drunken passenger Kenji Okamoto, 30, was arrested after assaulting a flight attendant during a transpacific flight. Okamoto had been drinking in celebration of recent marriage and upcoming honeymoon

Okamoto told authorities later that before boarding the plane, he had four glasses of beer and one glass of wine. He continued drinking champagne and wine upon boarding the plane.

On the flight, Okamoto got upset when one of the flight attendants wouldn't take his meal tray away. This caused Okamoto to allegedly throw 'a roundhouse type punch' at another flight attendant who intervened in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

Okamoto struck the flight attendant in his arms, which were raised to protect his head, according to the complaint.

 

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After being restrained by crew members, Okamoto apologized while crying, remained calm for the remainder of the flight and eventually fell asleep. 'Okamoto apologized for his actions by repeatedly saying 'I'm sorry' and bowed down on his knees and placed his head on the floor,' the complaint said.

During an interview with authorities, Okamoto said he's in the construction business and was 'drinking heavily because he was celebrating his honeymoon with his wife ... that he married on April 20, 2014.'

The Federal Detention Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Okamoto was denied bond after being arrested due to lying about previous criminal convictions he had gotten in Japan

The Federal Detention Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Okamoto was denied bond after being arrested due to lying about previous criminal convictions he had gotten in Japan

The incident happened "like a flash," said Okamoto. He claimed not to remember what exactly happened but that he was upset because he felt like he was being disrespected when the first flight attendant wouldn't take his tray away.

U.S. Magistrate Kevin Chang initially allowed Okamoto to be released on $50,000 bond, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Hino appealed, arguing that Okamoto didn't disclose a previous conviction in Japan for assaulting a police officer.

Hino's appeal provided photos of the Okamoto's near full-body tattoos, arguing that Okamoto is a flight risk and a danger.

Delta banned Okamoto from flying on the airline, according to Hino's appeal.

U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright granted the appeal to keep him held without bail at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center.

Because he was arrested at the airport, he never got to enjoy his honeymoon, which was to be spent at a luxury resort in east Honolulu, Hino said.

He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison when he's sentenced on Sept. 22.

Comments (14)

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20 years? I bet he wishes he faced UK justice instead, where he would probably have been let off with a caution, and awarded £5,000 for his 'hurt feelings' over the meal tray.

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Rest assurred, they'll throw the book at him. He'll get 10-15yrs at least.

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rest assured, he'll be given time served and that will be teh end of it. THE sentences are there for other circustances...it gives the powers that be some leeway...very seldom needed. grow up.

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Must have been the shock from seeing his wife...no honeymoon now...

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If this had happened on the ground it would have less attention, and consequences.

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If someone were to hit me and then be genuinely apologetic, I would consider that enough and forgive them.

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So beating up on Flight Attndants is OK with you? Why should this behavior be tolerated.?what is the correct punishment.,? Please tell me.

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He should be punished but not 20years for assault when drunk.

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Thanks a lot. This flight actually delayed me from seeing my boyfriend.

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people should think about the other people involved in these situations. hope you had fun!

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really? how...you are in the UK, and you were going to where? Hawaii? how did this delay you at all? unless you were going via Osaka.

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Although his conduct was deplorable, to face 20 years in prison is draconian. This is like getting your hand cut off for stealing something. No wonder the United States has the highest prison population per capita in the world.

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He won't get 20 he will get time served...

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All federal crimes have lengthy prison terms. Most inmates don't commit federal crimes. There are way more state inmates than federal inmates.

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