Passenger Charged with Criminal Sexual Misconduct for Actions during an American Airlines Flight Diverted to Tulsa

A man who caused an American Airlines’ flight to be diverted to Tulsa on Tuesday night was charged today in federal court for engaging in unwanted sexual contact with a female passenger, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

“This week, American flight 807, traveling from North Carolina to Utah, was diverted to Tulsa due to the alleged conduct of passenger James Clayton Cholewinski-Boy. Today, the United States Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges as a result of Mr. Cholewinski-Boy’s alleged actions on the plane,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma. “The public should know these allegations pertain to criminal sexual misconduct by Mr. Cholewinski-Boy against a female passenger, not a threat to the plane or air travel. The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with Tulsa International Airport law enforcement officers responded swiftly and professionally to this situation as soon as the plane touched down in Tulsa. The FBI will investigate this matter moving forward. I am thankful for the men and women of law enforcement who work to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public.”

The flight was en route to Salt Lake City, Utah, from Charlotte, North Carolina, when the incident occurred.

Law enforcement officials with the FBI, Tulsa International Airport and U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma.