Tennessee Man Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Assault on Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant

A Tennessee man, Michael Goins, Jr., has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for simple assault on an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. The incident occurred on March 20, 2022, during a Southwest Airlines flight landing at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

According to court documents, Goins, 35, of Spring Hill, engaged in disruptive behavior while on a cell phone call, uttering loud expletives that were overheard by nearby passengers. A fellow passenger, traveling with children, expressed discomfort with Goins’ language, leading to an aggressive response from him. In the ensuing altercation, Goins intentionally pushed his closed fist into a flight attendant’s upper abdomen, causing her pain.

The imposed six-month prison sentence represents the statutory maximum for this offense. Alongside imprisonment, Goins has been ordered to pay $650.00 in restitution.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas emphasized the gravity of such crimes, stating, “This prison sentence reflects the seriousness of these types of crimes and promotes respect for the law. Airline passengers and employees should be able to travel safely, and this violent behavior cannot be tolerated.”

Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp of the FBI San Antonio Field Office echoed these sentiments, highlighting the FBI’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Americans during air travel. Tapp expressed gratitude to the Austin Police Department for their collaboration and dedication in keeping citizens safe.

The investigation into the case was conducted jointly by the FBI and the Austin Police Department.