Tucson Man Now Faces Federal Charges Over Assault That Diverted a Newark Flight to Baltimore

An Arizona man accused of attacking a passenger on a flight that had to make an unscheduled landing in Baltimore now faces federal charges, more than a month after the Sept. 3, 2026, flight.

A federal grand jury in Maryland indicted Layne Lundeen, 67, of Tucson, on one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants and one count of assault by striking, beating and wounding, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.

What the indictment alleges

According to the indictment, on Sept. 3, 2026, Lundeen assaulted a passenger aboard a flight from Dallas to Newark, New Jersey, and the plane made an unscheduled landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Prosecutors say he also interfered with flight attendants and crew members trying to do their jobs. The indictment alleges that he made physical contact with a flight attendant or crew member, ignored their instructions, directed abusive and aggressive language at them, including racial slurs, and acted in a disruptive and hostile way toward the crew and other passengers.

What the court record shows

The indictment was returned on Oct. 8, 2026, and sealed at the government’s request the same day, the federal docket shows. Prosecutors also filed a notice of a related case. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett.

On Oct. 13, 2026, the indictment was unsealed, and Lundeen made his initial appearance and was arraigned on both counts before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Aslan in Baltimore. A lawyer, Anatoly Smolkin, entered an appearance as his retained counsel.

Judge Aslan released him on his promise to appear, under conditions set out in her order. Among them:

• He must surrender any passport to the court clerk on or before Oct. 20, 2026, and may not get new international travel documents.
• His travel is limited to Arizona and Maryland, except for passing through other states on the way to Maryland.
• He may not drink any alcohol, must submit to testing, and must take part in substance abuse treatment if his supervising officer considers it advisable.
• He may not possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon.
• He must avoid contact with anyone the government identifies in writing as a victim or potential witness.

The penalties

If convicted, Lundeen faces up to 20 years in federal prison for interfering with flight crew members and attendants and up to one year for the assault count, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The office noted that actual federal sentences are typically less than the maximum.

The FBI and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police investigated, with help from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ty Pittinger is prosecuting the case.

Lundeen is presumed innocent. The allegations have not been proven in court.