California man convicted of interfering with flight crew aboard Hong Kong-Los Angeles flight
By APWednesday, July 29, 2009
Calif. man convicted in tussle with flight crew
LOS ANGELES — A California businessman accused of punching an off-duty pilot and flight attendant during a flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles has been convicted of interfering with a flight crew.
The U.S. attorney’s office says James Allen Cameron of Anaheim was found guilty of the felony charge on Monday and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors allege the 50-year-old was drinking and became agitated during the April 23, 2008 flight. They said he punched an off-duty pilot who tried to stop him from getting out of his seat, then punched a flight attendant who tried to restrain him.
Defense attorney James Crawford said he’d seek a new trial. He claimed Cameron had a violent reaction after taking what he thought were sleeping pills purchased from a Chinese pharmacy, but the pills turned out to be Ambien.
