An Arizona realtor, Layne Lundeen, 67, has spoken for the first time following a mid-flight incident that led to him being duct-taped to his seat. The episode occurred on a flight from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey, and resulted in the plane making an emergency landing in Baltimore, Maryland.
Lundeen faces charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He appeared in court the day after the incident and reportedly stated he had no memory of the events. "I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?" he asked the judge. "Oh my God. What a mess. I don’t remember any of it."
He told the judge he was traveling to help his daughter move and celebrate her birthday, expressing confusion about ending up in Maryland instead of New Jersey. Lundeen was released on the condition that he abstain from drugs and alcohol. His trial is scheduled for October 19.
The flight was reportedly two hours into its journey when Lundeen allegedly became enraged. According to fellow passenger Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, an author known for his commentary on biblical prophecy, the two were discussing religious views before the situation escalated. Cahn claims Lundeen, who he believed had consumed a couple of drinks, began shouting and directed insults at him and God. Cahn stated that Lundeen had previously identified as Christian but rejected the faith after a divorce.
Cahn alleged that Lundeen became aggressive, made derogatory comments towards a Black flight attendant, and directed homophobic remarks. Cahn also claims Lundeen threatened him, saying, "I'm gonna punch your f***** Jewish face in," and lunged at his laptop, attempting to wrestle it away. During the struggle, Cahn's laptop was broken, and his arm was injured.
Witnesses Juan Mejia, a retired police officer, and Richard Olenick, a store manager, intervened and subdued Lundeen with duct tape, securing him to his seat. Cahn reported hearing Lundeen make a vulgar comment about a male flight attendant's genitals but did not specifically recall hearing racial slurs or homophobic comments.
Following the incident, Lundeen was fired from his position as vice president at Long Realty in Tucson, Arizona. The FBI boarded the plane upon its emergency landing in Baltimore, and Cahn provided them with his contact information. He has not yet heard from them regarding the investigation.