Maryland man pleads guilty after assaulting an airline gate agent

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Maryland man pled guilty today to interfering with security screening personnel.

According to court documents, on March 13, Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, of Frederick, who had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages, became irate about a delay and his seating assignment for his flight from Washington Dulles International Airport. Crittenden shouted expletives at a gate agent. The agent informed the flight captain, who was on the jet bridge, that Crittenden was likely inebriated and verbally harassing airline staff. The captain came to the gate to speak with Crittenden and ultimately informed him that he could not fly on the aircraft.

Crittenden then assaulted the agent by punching him in the face, temporarily rendering the victim unconscious. Crittenden also attempted to punch another gate agent, but that gate agent avoided the assault.

Crittenden is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9 and faces up to 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Joshua P. Stone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterterrorism Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Clement is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-167.