An Arizona woman has been sentenced to four months in prison for attacking a Transportation Security Administration officer who confiscated her apple juice during a security check, authorities said.
Makia Chelae Coleman, 20, was convicted earlier this year of assaulting and injuring a federal officer on April 25, 2023, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Authorities said the woman, from Glendale, became angry and punched a security guard at the checkpoint after her juice bottle was confiscated shortly before 6 a.m.
She then grabbed the agent by the hair, slammed the agent's head into a table at the security checkpoint, and struck the victim in the head several times before being subdued by a group of other TSA agents.
According to the TSA, two employees were sent to the hospital as a result of the brawl and about 450 travelers were inconvenienced when officers closed the checkpoint to deal with the disruptive travelers.
She was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Douglas Reyes to four months in prison and 36 months of probation, authorities said. Announced on Wednesday.
“Mr. Coleman will be prohibited from traveling on commercial aircraft during his three-year court-supervised term,” the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
