Smoker on flight arrested again, told to return to Colorado

DENVER – A woman arrested for smoking on a plane that was diverted to Denver International Airport in June has been arrested again for violating her pre-trial release terms.

Christina Szele is back in the custody of U.S. Marshals, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Szele was arrested in Brooklyn, NY at a federal probation office for testing positive twice for cocaine while on probation. While on pre-trial release she was also arrested for misdemeanor assault in Queens, NY after an argument with her roommate.

Szele was a passenger aboard a JetBlue flight flying from San Francisco to New York, in June. She allegedly started smoking a cigarette at her seat. The U.S. Attorney's office says when she was confronted by a flight attendant, Szele allegedly yelled obscenities, including racial epithets. As the flight crew attempted to restrain Szele, she punched an attendant in the face. Because of the disturbance the Captain of the JetBlue flight diverted the flight to DIA.

Szele was allowed to return to New York after her federal indictment in Colorado. The U.S. Attorney's office in Colorado had agreed to transfer the case to New York for a potential guilty plea and sentencing. However, the prosecution has now decided to resolve the case in Colorado and has requested that Szele be transported back to Colorado by the U.S. Marshals.

Szele is banned from commercial air travel because of the federal charges of assaulting a flight attendant. The U.S. Marshals must fly her back to Denver on a government plane.