United Passenger Arrested After Claiming 'This Is a Simulation' and Throwing 'Punches' Mid-Flight By Colson Thayer

A cross-country United Airlines flight made an unexpected stop in Omaha, Neb., on Sunday after a “disruptive passenger” allegedly interfered with crews on board.   

According to a statement shared with PEOPLE from a United spokesperson, flight 2410 from Washington Dulles to Salt Lake City made an emergency landing “after a passenger became disruptive,” on Sunday, Dec. 28. 

“Law enforcement met the aircraft at the gate in Omaha and the passenger was removed,” the statement added. “The flight continued to Salt Lake City later that evening.”

A criminal complaint filed on Monday, Dec. 29, in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska names 25-year-old Jordan Robert Langston as the defendant. An affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Patrick Manion claiming Langston forced the diversion is included in the complaint.

“Shortly after takeoff, Langston proceeded to exit his seat, walked towards the front of the plane and approached [a flight attendant] and began stating ‘This is a simulation’ while waving his hands above his head,” Manion wrote. After a flight attendant asked what was a simulation, Langston allegedly said “this flight” and he “proceeded to walk towards the rear of the plane,” according to Manion.

Once he reached the back of the plane, Langston allegedly pushed another flight attendant and stepped on their shoes before explaining he “needed to get off the plane.” A third flight attendant reportedly informed him that he wasn’t allowed to touch the flight crew; otherwise, the flight would turn around. 

The first flight attendant told the captain about the incident, who issued a level 2 security threat, per the affidavit. This allowed the flight to continue, but required “four able body assistants (ABTs) to be informed of the situation.”  

An ABT was allegedly seated next to Langston, who reportedly continued to state, “This is all a simulation.” 

Related Stories

Plane Passenger Throws Temper Allegedly Demanding to Sit with His Girlfriend. Then Flight Makes a U-Turn

Passenger Forcibly Removed from Plane After He Allegedly Refused to ‘Switch Off His Mobile Phone’

After 30 minutes, Langston “forcibly stood up and [the ABT] moved to the aisle of the plane,” per the affidavit.

“Langston proceeded to jump up and down and put his hands up. Langston proceeded to ‘shadow box’ and throw punches at [the ABT],” Manion wrote. “Langston struck [them] in the face, just below [their] nose. This prompted [the ABT] to take Langston to the ground in the aisle.”

After the four ABTs and one flight attendant brought Langston to the back of the plane, the defendant was allegedly “restrained and cuffed” and “began screaming and talking about death.”

Once the flight landed in Omaha, the Airport Police Authority escorted him off the plane, arrested and booked him into Douglas County Corrections, per the affidavit.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Langston faces one charge of violating Title 49 U.S. Section 46504, Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants.

On Dec. 30, U.S. magistrate judge Michael D. Nelson ordered Langston to remain in custody. Court records show a 45-day criminal deadline has been set for Feb. 13. 

Langston’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.