ST. THOMAS — A Spirit Airlines passenger turned the tarmac at Cyril E. King Airport into a combat zone Thursday afternoon, allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer before being released on a bail amount lower than most checked bag fees.
Angela Christine Brown was arrested on January 22, 2026, after a “spiritless” display of air rage that began inside the cabin of a departing aircraft. According to V.I. Port Authority reports, Brown appeared heavily intoxicated and was making such a scene that airline crew were forced to halt the flight’s departure.
The Takedown
The situation shifted from “annoying passenger” to “aggravated felony” once Brown was off the plane. Police say she refused to cooperate with officers or identify her luggage. The confrontation peaked when Brown allegedly delivered a chest-high kick to a Port Authority officer, a blow so forceful it knocked his body camera right off his uniform.
It reportedly took a squad of officers to wrestle Brown into handcuffs as she continued to struggle on the tarmac.
The “Service Dog” Loophole
Despite the violent nature of the arrest, Brown didn’t spend long behind bars. Because she was traveling with two service animals, local detention facilities faced a logistical nightmare: they couldn’t house the dogs, and they couldn’t seize them without a long-term care plan.
As a result, Brown was hauled before Superior Court Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull on Friday morning. The result?
- Charges: Aggravated Assault and Battery on an Officer, Interference with an Officer.
- Bail: Set at a mere $100.
- Status: Released.
While the court has yet to confirm if Brown is barred from leaving the territory, she is likely on a “No-Fly” list with Spirit Airlines for life. Video of the scuffle has already begun circulating on TMZ and social media, making her the latest “poster child” for the FAA’s zero-tolerance policy on unruly passengers.
