Shannon Epstein, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s niece, was removed from a plane in New Orleans last month. She had asked passengers she believed were Latino if they were drug smugglers, media reports said, citing police.
The incident took place on Thanksgiving Day at Louis Armstrong International Airport, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jason Rivarde told the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
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Epstein allegedly became belligerent on a Spirt Airlines flight. During the incident, she “bit, kicked and spit on” Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputies who attempted to detain her.
Her flight was taxiing out of the airport when the pilot decided to return to the gate to have her removed.
Seven deputies were needed to handcuff Epstein to a wheelchair, media reports said.
Little is known about Epstein other than she is 25-year-old and was on her way to New Jersey on Nov. 24 when the incident took place.
At the time of the scuffle, Epstein shouted at the deputies boasting about her uncle who is a friend of former President Donald Trump.
Six deputies were injured, including one who was bit by Epstein. Another deputy was kicked in the groin, Times-Picayune reported.
Epstein was charged with six counts of battery on a police officer, three of disturbing the peace, and one of resisting arrest by force. Epstein was released from Jefferson Parish Correctional Center the same day after paying $10,750 bail. She is set to appear in court on January 23.
It remains unclear why Epstein became aggressive.
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Neither Shannon Epstein nor Chris Christie have reacted to the incident so far.
The Jefferson Parish Police Department and Spirit Airlines have also not issued any statement related to the incident.