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Passenger Arrested After Alleged Assault on Flight Following Wife’s Upgrade

An incident onboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Anchorage has led to the arrest of a male passenger, Roger Allan Holmberg Sr., who is accused of assaulting his wife after she received a first-class upgrade.

The couple, traveling for a ministry-related event, became embroiled in a domestic dispute shortly after the wife was upgraded, triggering Holmberg’s anger. According to court documents filed by a special agent from the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office, witnesses reported multiple altercations between the two.

A witness referred to as “MC” recounted that Holmberg confronted his wife with a rude remark questioning how she managed to earn the upgrade. When she explained that her frequent flyer status was the reason, the confrontation escalated, with Holmberg reportedly disregarding her request to cease his disrespectful tone. In a separate incident, he is alleged to have handed her his phone to read something, followed by an obscene gesture.

As the conflict progressed, MC noted that Holmberg moved in a threatening manner and attempted to strike his wife. In a protective reflex, MC intervened but reported that Holmberg managed to hit the top of his wife’s head.

Another witness, identified as “AS,” corroborated the sequence of events. AS detailed hearing the couple’s altercation and a nearby passenger admonishing Holmberg, indicating that he recognized the seriousness of the situation when Holmberg struck his wife.

The situation prompted immediate notification to Anchorage Airport Police while the plane was still airborne. Upon questioning by authorities, it emerged that Holmberg’s wife had previously suffered abuse at his hands, including a broken finger in another incident. She expressed concerns about the potential for a seizure due to her epilepsy, particularly highlighted by the head injury from the alleged assault.

Despite a lack of visible injuries, the police documented her claims and concerns. Holmberg, for his part, contended that he was merely upset over not sitting next to his wife due to the upgrade and denied physically assaulting her. He described the incident as a mere “tap” to get her attention.

Holmberg attributed criticisms to his wife, suggesting that she often disrespected him and had anger management issues. In his defense, he claimed that her broken finger resulted from an incident during a vehicle ride when she allegedly grabbed his leg.

Holmberg was subsequently arrested on charges of simple assault and taken to the Anchorage Correctional Center. He could face a maximum sentence of six months in jail or fines if found guilty. Local news sources have reported that Holmberg is now banned from flying with Alaska Airlines.

Source
www.cbsnews.com