Plane diverts to Sea-Tac after alleged assault, man arrested

An Alaska Airlines jet makes its approach at the Juneau International Airport in this image from 2009.

An Alaska Airlines jet makes its approach at the Juneau International Airport in this image from 2009.

SEATTLE — A spokesman for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport says a flight was diverted to the Seattle area Tuesday after a man allegedly tried to kiss a girl next to him.

Perry Cooper said Port of Seattle police arrested the 23-year-old California man for investigation of fourth-degree assault when the plane diverted to Sea-Tac Tuesday afternoon.

Cooper said the man attempted to kiss a 16-year-old girl who was sleeping on the plane next to him. The pilot was notified and reported it to police.

The Alaska Airlines flight was heading to Anchorage, Alaska, from Portland, Oregon. The girl remained on the plane when it later departed for Anchorage.

Cooper said the man was cooperative when he was arrested. He is expected to be booked into King County Jail.

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