Man assaults flight attendant with pretzel

SALT LAKE CITY, July 13 (UPI) -- A Sandy, Utah, man has been charged with assaulting a flight attendant with peanuts and pretzels while aboard a flight, a complaint says.

A complaint was filed in U.S. District Court Tuesday against Pogos Paul Sefilian alleging he became enraged by being asked to stop using an electronic cigarette while aboard a Southwest Airlines flight, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Sefilian, 42, allegedly began using the electronic cigarette after boarding the 6 p.m. Monday flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. A flight attendant noticed him using the device and told him he was not allowed to use it on the plane.

The complaint states that Sefilian began arguing with the flight attendant before stowing the device -- only to be caught using it again after takeoff.

He is accused of throwing peanuts and pretzels at the flight attendant and the flight deck door, apparently in protest of the airline's ban on electronic cigarettes. The complaint says he opened overhead compartments and refused to sit down as the flight approached Salt Lake City International Airport.

FBI agents arrested Sefilian as soon as the plane landed and he was charged with interference with a flight crew.