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Police: Woman Fights With Flight Crew, TIA Officers

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 3, 2009

Updated: 03/03/2009 02:34 pm

Cassie Winiavski

TAMPA - A 21-year-old St. Petersburg woman on a plane punched a Spirit Airlines flight attendant Monday and later battered three law enforcement officers, Tampa International Airport police say.

Cassie Winiavski was arrested at 6:28 p.m. Monday.

She was charged with three felony counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and one misdemeanor count of battery.

The incident began when the plane Winiavski was on pushed back from the gate about 6:19 p.m. Monday.

According to airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan:

Winiavski complained to the flight attendant that she needed to use the restroom. She complained so much that the captain stopped the plane to let her go.

After Winiavski left the restroom, the flight attendant asked her to return to her seat immediately. Winiavski continued to complain, so the captain announced the plane would be returning to the gate. Other passengers were upset with Winiavski.

That's when Winiavski punched a flight attendant in the nose, Geoghagan said. Details on the flight attendant's condition weren't available.

Police say that during an incident at Gate 44 of Airside C, Winiavski spit at and kicked two officers and bit another officer on the ring finger of the right hand. One of the officers suffered a sprained thumb, and another has an injured right shoulder.

In a police vehicle, Winiavski intentionally threw her head back at the seat, causing a cut to the back of her head and leading to her being transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, Geoghagan said.

Winiavski remained in Orient Road Jail today. Her bail was set at $6,500.

The Spirit Airlines flight was en route to Atlantic City. Due to poor weather conditions in the north, the flight already had been delayed 75 minutes prior to the incident, Geohagan said. The flight was delayed at least another 30 minutes after that.

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