(UnitedHeadlines.com) – On Dec. 5, new charges were filed against Shannon Epstein, 26, related to her being kicked off a Nov. 24, 2022, flight from New Orleans to New Jersey for having a drug-induced, drunken meltdown.
Epstein, the niece of 2024 Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, injured several people during the incident aboard the Spirit Airlines flight.
The new charges filed by the Jefferson Parish district attorney include one count of resisting police by use of force or by use of violence, which is a felony. Epstein is also being charged with two counts of disturbing the peace by being publicly intoxicated, which is a misdemeanor.
The incident occurred at 6 a.m. while the Newark-bound flight was taxiing on the runway for take-off at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Epstein allegedly asked a Latino family sitting near her on the flight if they were “smuggling cocaine.”
She then allegedly refused to get off the jetway and shouted at officers, while foaming at the mouth and acting in a belligerent manner. According to the report, Epstein “displayed unusual strength.”
After she refused to get off the jetway, seven deputies were needed to restrain Epstein to a wheelchair. She was alleged to have continued to struggle against being placed in handcuffs by kicking and spitting on officers as she attempted to break free. At one point, she bit one of the officers on the bicep, and “tore the skin away.”
According to the police, she screamed, “Do you know who I am?” She also screamed that she was “related to some very powerful people.” She went on to mention knowing her uncle and former President Donald Trump.
Following the incident, Epstein was arrested for battery on a police officer, resisting arrest by using force, disturbing the peace, and staying at a place after having been forbidden. She was released the same day after she posted a $10,750 bond.
Epstein could face a year to three years in prison if convicted of the new charges.
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