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A Maryland man pleaded guilty Thursday to interfering with security screening personnel after punching a United Airlines gate agent at Dulles International Airport and knocking the employee unconscious.
Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, faces up to 10 years in prison. Under his plea agreement, federal prosecutors will recommend a sentence no higher than the low end of the applicable sentencing guidelines.
Court documents say an intoxicated Crittenden attacked the gate agent on March 13 after learning his flight had been delayed. The employee apologized and handed Crittenden his boarding pass, but Crittenden continued shouting at United staff about the disruption.
Crittenden then struck the agent in the face. Video shared on social media showed the employee falling to the floor after the blow.
According to a statement of facts, the agent suffered bleeding, contusions, and significant pain in the head and shoulder areas. The employee also requires follow-up dental treatment.
Crittenden tried to punch another gate agent, but that employee ducked and avoided being hit, court records say.
The delay was reportedly Crittenden’s third travel problem that day, following a canceled flight and an overbooked replacement.
Crittenden is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.