Man Charged in Federal Court for Allegedly Slapping Delta Flight Attendant

Cody James Maluck, 32, was indicted on June 9 by an Atlanta federal grand jury on a charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants, stemming from an incident aboard Delta Flight 800 on May 9. The flight attendant, identified only as P.L.L. in court documents, told an air marshal — who was also acting as an FBI Task Force Officer — that she had skipped Maluck's seat during beverage service, believing him to be asleep, before feeling a slap to her buttocks forceful enough to cause her body to move forward. A second flight attendant corroborated the account, stating she heard P.L.L. yell and witnessed her body lurch forward, and that Maluck raised his hands saying words to the effect of 'I didn't do anything.' Maluck acknowledged touching P.L.L. in the buttocks area but told investigators he was wearing headphones, did not hear the beverage service, and made contact only to get her attention without intent to harm or disrespect her. The flight crew diverted the aircraft to Atlanta, where Maluck was detained and later transported to the Atlanta City Detention Center. Delta Air Lines reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior and stated it would cooperate with law enforcement. If convicted, Maluck faces up to 20 years in federal prison.