A 32-year-old man is facing federal charges after he allegedly slapped a female flight attendant on the butt during a Delta Air Lines flight last month.
On Tuesday, Cody James Maluck was indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta for interference with crew members or attendants, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
According to a U.S. District Court filing in Georgia, the crew member, identified as "P.L.L.," thought Maluck was asleep during aisle beverage service and began serving a nearby passenger when she "felt a slap to her buttocks area with sufficient force to cause her body to move forward."
The complaint states that she turned around to see Maluck "raising his hands and stating words to the effect of, 'I didn't do anything.'"
P.L.L. informed the lead flight attendant, who told the pilot and the May 9 flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles was then diverted to Atlanta, where Maluck was arrested by police and handed over to the FBI.
"Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive or unruly behavior on our flights," a spokesperson for the airline told PEOPLE. "We will always cooperate with law enforcement to address such conduct and protect our people.”
Maluck admitted to touching the attendant but said it was only to get her attention. He said he didn't mean to cause "harm or disrespect" and denied striking her hard enough to move her forward.
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