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Lakewood Man Charged For Alleged Drunken Assault On Flight Attendant

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Southland man is facing a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew after he allegedly assaulted a flight attendant two times on a weekend flight from the Philippines to Los Angeles.

A criminal complaint filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles alleges Edgar Nafarrette Nonga, 53, of Lakewood, was irate and intoxicated after he was refused additional alcoholic beverages on Philippine Airlines flight 112, which arrived at LAX Sunday morning.

Prosecutors say Nonga used profanity when making demands of the flight crew and was subsequently issued several warnings. On two occasions during the flight, Nonga allegedly punched a flight attendant — in the face and upper torso — and distracted the flight crew in the performance of their duties, according to the complaint.

Following the second alleged assault, Nonga was restrained and placed in flex cuffs by the flight crew, with the assistance of at least five fellow passengers, prosecutors said.

Officers with the Los Angeles Airport Police and FBI agents responded to the aircraft after the flight's captain alerted officials at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about the incident, according to prosecutors.

Nonga was released on $10,000 bail following a court appearance Monday.

If convicted, Nonga could face up to 20 years in prison.

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