Male Model Accused Of Being Unruly On OC-Bound Flight Released On Bond
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Arash Durrani, the male model/actor accused of being unruly on a flight headed to John Wayne Airport Tuesday, was ordered released after he posted bond.
Durrani is being released after also agreeing to tight restrictions including home confinement, electronic monitoring and mental and drug testing. A judge also ordered him to stay far away from airports and airplanes.
The model is expected to be charged with one federal count of interfering with a flight crew, defense attorney Stefan Eric Sacks said. The charge carries a possible maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Durrani was arrested early Wednesday as he was being treated at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Irvine, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.
Passengers described Durrani as unruly, said he was bothering female passengers and crew and had to be restrained in his seat for three hours during the United Airlines Chicago to OC flight.
At his initial court appearance today, a judge ordered Durrani's release on a $50,000 unsecured bond posted by his brother.
When asked by U.S. Magistrate Judge Frederick F. Mumm if he could abide by "intensive" pretrial restrictions, Durrani said, "Yes, your honor."
An Oct. 22 post-indictment arraignment was set in Santa Ana federal court.
As the plane was readying for takeoff, Durrani allegedly left his seat and walked toward the first-class section, forcing the flight crew to cut short its pre-flight safety briefing, according to the FBI.
When Durrani was persuaded to get back in his seat he refused to turn off his cellphone for several minutes, federal officials said.
"While the aircraft was in flight, Durrani continued to harass and bother the flight crew by repeatedly asking for more alcoholic beverages," according to the FBI affidavit.
"Additionally, Durrani harassed the female members of the flight crew and several female passengers. At one point, Durrani asked a female passenger if she wanted to sit on his lap and offered drugs to the same female passenger."
When he was refused more alcohol, he reportedly shouted, "I'm from Afghanistan and I will murder all of you," according to the FBI.
It was then that one passenger, identified as Chris Long, told Durrani to "go sit down," the FBI alleged.
Durrani allegedly pointed a finger in Long's face and threatened to beat him up, the FBI alleged. Durrani would not sit down, prompting the pilot to ask for help restraining him, according to the FBI.
As he struggled with passengers he allegedly shouted, "I'll murder all of you guys," the FBI said.
Two physicians aboard the flight helped subdue Durrani with an injection of Diazepam, the generic term for Valium, according to the affidavit.
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