On June 30th, 2023, Atlanta police responded to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport after a passenger destroyed Delta Airlines gate equipment and resisted arrest. This analysis covers probable cause, three criminal statutes, and the force standard applied during the arrest. >> So, I'm not even supposed to be in Atlanta, right? >> Okay. >> I get on the I I I land here. I missed my flight all because they didn't have a ramp to take me off of the flight. So, now I missed my flight. I get my flight my flight rebooked. Mind you, I'm supposed to be home 3 days ago. So, he's telling me I'm on standby. I got the [ __ ] mad. >> So, you destroyed their property? >> I destroyed their property. What property did I destroy? I threw a chair. Did I destroy any property? >> They said you knocked over you broke a computer or something like >> I broke a com- Go check and see what computer is broken. Go see if you see a crack on the screen or something. >> That's what people are telling me. >> Okay. They can tell you whatever they want, but I threw one chair and I walked away cuz I started [ __ ] crying cuz I'm mad and I have the right to [ __ ] be mad. I'm supposed to be home 4 days ago. I did not break anything. I threw a chair. >> You got your ID on you, ma'am? >> I'm not even The [ __ ] bro? Like >> Any damage anything broken in there? >> Okay. >> Here you go. Can you go in there and see what you broke? >> Cuz I'm [ __ ] broke, so please tell me what the [ __ ] I broke. Here you go. >> I'm off some boy, okay? Yeah. >> I really don't know. Like I don't even give a [ __ ] I don't care. I don't give a [ __ ] yo. I'm still going to [ __ ] sue Delta. The [ __ ] I was supposed to been be home. Now I'm [ __ ] mad. I'm taking my anger out out out out out. I just I destroyed property. The [ __ ] out of here, yo. I wasn't supposed to [ __ ] be in this state, first of all. I was supposed to be home 3 days ago. But these airlines keep canceling, delaying my flight and I'm not supposed to be upset about that. Oh, now cuz I'm upset I like Whatever, yo. I don't give a [ __ ] I really don't care. Like this is funny as [ __ ] Before you pick up my bag, you're going to rebook me a flight so I can go home. How about that? How about you sit down and settle that before you go get my luggage. >> [music] >> Can you do that for me? Can you put me on another flight with another [ __ ] whatever? I don't care. If it's the same I don't give a [ __ ] cuz I'm still going to sue their ass. But it's just a simple fact like are you going to put me on a flight so I can finally get home? I've been trying to get home for 3 days. I was just in a whole 'nother state yesterday and I'm in a whole 'nother state. I'm not supposed to be here. So what are you going to do? That's the question. That's That's what I'm trying to get you to answer. What are you doing right now? Excuse me, sir. What's going on here? >> Uh right now I'm trying to see if they say it was damaged. So I'm trying to see if it was damaged. >> did I damage? >> They said you broke the computer. >> I broke the computer? Uh cuz there's no If you want to go over there, there ain't no computer on the floor. Looks like I should smack the [ __ ] out of who [ __ ] lied to me saying I broke something. It was you? >> I'm doing my >> The [ __ ] Yeah. Oh, I'm more than frustrated. Sir, I was supposed to be home 3 days ago. You want to know something? Delta is the reason why I'm still here. And then for them to say I'm put on standby and I can't go home like that's crazy. I would have never missed my flight had y'all had the stupid ramp the ramp [ __ ] together. How the [ __ ] y'all don't have a ramp for people to get off the flight and then have us waiting 30 minutes? I know it's not your problem. You could give a [ __ ] less cuz you're not going through what the [ __ ] I'm going through. I don't give a [ __ ] about that cuz I'm calling corporate security. >> Cuz she broke a mouse, mouse, and all that. I tried to take the keyboard. >> Yeah. >> So let me know what you're adding. We need to see everything. I need to call corporate security. >> Call. >> Yeah, yeah, I'm going to call corporate security. >> Well, then you see I'm not lying, right? >> But I know you did it. >> Cuz I called the cops. >> Yeah. >> You need to be arrested. >> Hey. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's unacceptable. That's unacceptable. We got babies down there. >> So she broke the >> Yes, that's >> Yes. >> [ __ ] She was at D6 and D8. >> the the the mouse out of the computer at D6 D8. >> The wheelchair. >> And whole keyboard she flung at you. >> Probable cause. The subject admitted on camera she threw a chair. Three Delta staff witnesses then confirmed she ripped a mouse from the terminal and flung a keyboard at gate D8. Under Illinois versus Gates from 1983, that combination satisfies the totality of circumstances standard without a formal confession. Criminal mischief. Georgia code section 16-7-22 criminalizes intentional property damage without consent. Below $500 the offense is a misdemeanor. Above that threshold it becomes a felony carrying up to 5 years. Airport grade terminals routinely exceed that valuation placing the subject in felony exposure from the outset. The subject's frustration with Delta's ramp failure carries no weight in criminal court. Georgia does not recognize emotional distress from a business dispute as a defense to criminal mischief. A civil claim against Delta exists on a separate legal track and does not reduce the criminal liability for the destruction. Disorderly conduct. Georgia code section 16-11-39 prohibits violent or tumultuous behavior in a public place placing others in reasonable fear and it does not require physical contact. Conduct spanning gates D6, D7, and D8 across separate locations reflects deliberate escalation not a single impulsive act. Arrest authority. Atwater versus City of Lago Vista from 2001 permits custodial arrest upon probable cause for misdemeanor and felony offenses. By this point in the encounter, the officers had a partial admission, three corroborating witnesses, and confirmed physical evidence at gate D8. The legal basis for the arrest was firmly established. >> I saw that conference room. >> Is anybody possible cuz I won't leave her by herself. We need by possible to take a photograph of the damages. >> No. >> Okay. >> We need her boarding pass. >> We need her boarding pass. >> That's what they do. >> Right. Sorry. >> Oh, you That's y'all. >> All right. Where is >> That's the whole thing. >> I can prove it. >> She said >> She was talking about everything. You were there. >> Yeah, we need her boarding pass. And her ID cuz I need to see her confirmation of this. >> Uh we are here in the middle of the concourse. >> She just That's all she did. We take that with no problem. That's all she did. She had her boarding pass. >> And uh Them two doors on D6. >> Airport communication. >> What What happened? D6 is >> Excuse my head. What did you say about the D6 doors? >> Last flight. >> Okay. >> Coffee. >> Okay. >> And from what the ladies over there said >> Possible. >> She was being belligerent against the situation. >> But I need to see that. But I'm just coming out here. >> So this happened at D8. >> Yeah. >> She banging on the door at D6. Okay. >> D7 and >> I had >> I said Cuz the flight attendant >> The flight attendant was leaving that D6 cuz she She started at D6 and then she was leaving down the concourse. >> All right. >> You called 911? >> The flight attendant called 911. The flight attendant called 911. >> So now the agent called 911. >> Y'all was coming in. >> I know it. >> So he was doing all this. >> I swear every time I'm here it's going down. Like I had >> It was going down. >> I keep forgetting I got traffic for you. >> I just I just I was like >> Oh, they said she did that on the [ __ ] concourse. But people don't really talk, so >> You still want to talk to him? All right, go ahead. Here. >> Who is this? >> Just >> Is this your dad? >> Just listen to what he has to say, please. >> Hello. What's going on, man? >> Let me tell you something. >> Is everything good? All right, miss. Stand up. >> I'm getting arrested? No, I'm not getting arrested. That's some [ __ ] No, I'm not. No, I'm not. I'm not getting arrested. >> Okay, stand up. >> No, don't touch me. Get off of me. I'm not playing. Get off of me. Don't touch me. Don't touch me. Get off of me. I don't care. No, I'm not. Get the [ __ ] off of me, y'all. Get the [ __ ] off of me. I'm not playing, bro. Get off of me. >> Don't pick no more charges. Sis, don't pick no more charges. I'm not trying to hurt you. Get off, sis. I'm not trying to hurt you. Sis, I don't want to hurt you. >> Really? >> All right. >> I'm going to sue the [ __ ] out of y'all. >> Do what you got to do. >> It's all good. >> You just want more charges. You don't care about that. >> It's all good. >> Use of force. Graham versus Connor from 1989 requires that force be judged from the officer's perspective at the moment of decision and not in hindsight. Hands-on control of a physically resisting and unarmed subject in a crowded public terminal is objectively reasonable under that standard. Obstruction. Georgia code. Section 16-10-24 requires knowing and willful hindrance of an officer in the lawful discharge of duties. The subject refused commands, physically pulled away during the arrest, and verbally acknowledged it was occurring while refusing to comply. Every element is satisfied on camera without ambiguity. Fighting words, the subject told an officer, I am going to beat the hell out of you during an active arrest. Under Chaplinsky versus New Hampshire from 1942, words that tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace fall entirely outside First Amendment protection and constitute additional criminal exposure on a documented record. Great. The primary officer receives a B plus. The arrest was grounded in confirmed probable cause and force was proportionate to the resistance. The concern is a 6-minute delay before the arrest decision, which allowed the subject to generate additional criminal exposure on camera. Asserting her detained status earlier would have shortened that window. The female officer receives an A minus. Maintaining a calm tone under verbal threats, refusing to match the subject's aggression, and warning continuously about additional charges directly prevented escalation to a higher force level. It is the strongest professional performance in this footage. The subject receives a D. She entered this encounter with a legitimate grievance and a viable civil claim against Delta Airlines, and she converted both into compounding criminal liability across three statutes through choices that were voluntary, fully documented, and entirely avoidable. Delta Airlines receives a C plus. The ramp failure and standby placement represent genuine service failures under Department of Transportation passenger rights guidelines, but delayed escalation to law enforcement allowed the incident to span three gate areas before officers arrived. Lessons learned. Property destruction creates a criminal case regardless of Delta's own liability, so civil grievances must be resolved through civil remedies. A voluntary on camera statement before arrest is fully admissible and constitutes complete probable cause. Physical resistance adds charges and removes nothing. The venue to contest an arrest is a courtroom with counsel. Let us know if there is an interaction or a legal topic that you would like us to discuss in the comments below. Thank you for watching.