I just wanted to talk to my husband and I want water. Please close your dress. Let me close your dress. Sorry, it's hot. Can I have my water? Stand up. I just want water. Can I stand up? YEAH. I NEED WATER. >> [screaming] >> CAN I HAVE SOMETHING? PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. WAIT, why are you Why are you arresting me? Are you serious? Put your right HAND HERE. NO. I'M GOING TO GET ON June 28th, 2022, Nashville Airport Police responded to a Delta Airlines flight where a passenger refused crew directives to deplane. She was subsequently arrested and charged with three misdemeanors. Control my feet. They're trying to allow her to come off willingly. If she will not, she's refusing to come off, we'll go deal with her. Okay. Do you guys mind deplaning the entire plane so that we do not have to deal with her with an entire plane of people? Can we ask if you would if she would come off nicely with the first? Yes. If she doesn't, then we'll deplane the plane. Yeah. 29 Delta. Excuse me. Yeah. Hello. Hi. Um What's your name? My name's Officer Smith. I'm with Nashville Airport Police. Um they're saying that they want you off of their aircraft. Why is that? Uh I don't know. They just said that you were refusing to get off their aircraft after they asked you to get off. Right. They didn't give me a reason why I needed to get off. They just told me that they were going to talk to me outside. As if they didn't want me to They didn't inform me why they were going to um Hold on. Let me catch my breath. I'm like I don't understand why there's so many people like on top of me. Okay. Have you had anything to drink today? No. I keep I was looking for water. They didn't give me water. told me that the plane was delayed. I just want water. Okay. Have you had any alcohol today? No, I'm on a sabbatical. Okay. Okay, so do you mind stepping off the aircraft and then we can talk My name is Officer Smith. Yes. >> You see, I think it's important that people call you by your first name. >> You can call me by my first name, that's fine. Thank you. Do you mind stepping off the aircraft? We can figure out what's going on. >> Let me know. I'm going home, so I need to know why I'm getting off the plane. So, they're a private company. They're allowed to refuse you service on their aircraft. So, >> Anytime a private company, like a business? >> Yes, they're a business. So, they're allowed to refuse you service. >> Like Southwest Airlines? >> Okay. So, if you do not get off the plane, we are going to deboard the entire plane, and we will pull you off of the plane. >> You're going to pull me I have to sit my attention, and I have to breathe. Stay calm. Stay calm. So, Stay calm. I don't know what's going on. Like I said, they didn't tell me what the problem is. >> So, if you will get up and just walk off, then we can deal with it. Okay, what is the reason why I'm getting off the plane? >> They're a private company, and they're allowed to deny you service on their airline. >> Okay, can I get the reason why they are denying me service? >> They don't have to have a reason. So, they can just throw me off? Yeah, pretty much. >> Are you serious? Yep. They're a private company. >> They're a private company. Any private company can do that? Yep. So, >> I'm getting like Can I have some water? I I I thought you guys were going to bring me some water. Mm-mm, no. Okay. So, either >> here for the water. I'll just keep coloring. Ma'am, you need to stand up and get off the plane, or every single person's going to get off of this plane. You want >> will deal with you. You're going to deal with me if I don't get off the plane. Yeah? You're going to deal with me? What does that mean? Like you're going to me? You're going to like deport me? Like my family is from Portugal. Like that's not okay. I have no reason to be here. I'm a US citizen and I'm white or maybe I'm black. I don't know. But this is just a tattoo. See, I am human, too. Okay. Mic drop. Okay. I'm going to be the first female Can we deboard the plane, please? Walk off. I'm not doing this with a plane full of people. I'm not doing this with a plane full of people. Sit and keep all the way off. But the only option we have coming before us is we can't get the lady to help us. Thank you. Is this my fourth This is my fourth rescheduled flight. Please don't do this. Get Cargo 5 still shows the rear unlocked. May I resecure it or do you still need it open? There's no reason. Nobody told me I'm getting off. Hey, starting from the front, start walking off the aircraft. We need water. Ma'am, I think you should want to have her sit back down. >> Okay, we need to get everybody off of the You got to get off. Yeah. All right, thanks. Everybody, just a second here. Hold on. Let's go just go off and we'll talk, okay? What's your name? Just step off and we'll just talk about it, okay? Why are we stepping off? Cuz they don't want you on this aircraft. They don't want me on this aircraft. What? Let's just talk about it. >> tall? Because I'm white? Because I'm black? Let's go talk about it. >> I am human, too. Let's just go talk about it. >> Mic drop. LET'S JUST GO TALK >> I NEED BARACK OBAMA. COME ON. Tony Robbins. Hey, I'm being polite with you. >> This flight is important. >> Let's just get off the aircraft. >> Everyone on this plane, remember I will be the first US female president in the United States of Kazakhstan. Remember this. All right, let's just go talk about it there. I'm sorry. Um, can you call somebody? Can I make a phone call? Yeah, we can get my supervisor down here and all that. I need to I need to talk to the I need to talk to my husband, please. >> You're all right, we can we can go and talk to him, okay? Come on. Come on. You're all right, let's go talk I'm here with you, okay? Freeze. Come on. Okay, let's go outside. We'll get you some water. That's the key. Let's get you outside and we'll get you some water. Can you help me? I'll help you. I'll help you, okay? Let's I'll help you. I can't wait to go back. I want to go back this year. All right, let's go this way. Fine. I'm not. Hey, come down She's acting more erratically. It's not All right, come on. Thank you. Control, she's off the aircraft. We'll be underway as soon as we can get everybody back seated. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry. Off the aircraft. Airlines are private carriers operating under a contract of carriage. Under 49 US Code section 46,504 crew members hold federal authority to manage disruptive passengers, including requesting law enforcement removal. The carrier is not required to state a specific reason. Officer Smith's explanation on this point was legally accurate. The subject repeatedly referenced her appearance as a possible basis for removal. No evidence in the footage supports that inference. However, the 14th Amendment prohibits law enforcement from serving as the enforcement arm of private discrimination. Officers must independently assess that boundary. Throughout the aircraft phase, the subject exhibited disjointed speech, grandiose statements, and apparent disorientation. Under crisis intervention team protocols established by the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2018, these are recognized indicators warranting medical evaluation before a criminal enforcement response. No CIT assessment was initiated. Hey, do you want to 10-15 her or what's going on? Hey, come over here. Let's have a conversation. She is off the aircraft. Hey, we'll get you water. Can I have water? Yeah. They're going to get you water, so just come sit down and we'll talk. >> it's easier when we're walking. Can we walk and talk? No, let's have a seat. Let's have a seat. Okay, can I talk to my husband, please? >> stop, stop. Why am I being stopped? Put your hands behind your back. Why Why am I being arrested? Are you serious? Put your hands BEHIND YOUR NO! DRAG IT. TASE. GET ON THE [ __ ] GROUND RIGHT NOW. WHY? I WANT TO CALL MY >> [screaming] >> GET OUT OF THE CAR. GIVE ME YOUR ARM, NOW. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE 10-4, we're a 10-15. Lock your cuffs. I don't know how to do it. Jesus Christ. I can get on the phone, though. Sit down. Okay. Okay, I'm not going to go anywhere. Okay, so I just wanted to talk to my husband and and I asked for water. Close your dress. Let me close your dress. Sir, it's hot. Can I let her stand up? I just want water. Can I stand up? Yeah. I can get up When the subject began physically pulling away from officers in the gate area, the arrest was initiated. Under United States versus Watson, 1976, a warrantless public arrest is lawful when probable cause exists. Whether that threshold was met for each of the three charges is the central legal question. Charge one, resisting arrest under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-16-602. The statute requires intentional prevention or obstruction of an officer effecting an arrest. The subject physically pulled away and refused to present her hands. This is the most legally defensible charge of the three. Charge two, disorderly conduct under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-305. The statute requires fighting, violent, or threatening behavior with intent to cause public alarm. Verbal refusal and passive non-compliance do not meet this threshold. City of Houston versus Hill, 1987, affirmed that confrontational speech directed at officers remains protected under the First Amendment. This charge faces significant evidentiary challenges. Charge three, indecent exposure under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-511. The statute requires intentional exposure with knowledge it would offend others. The subject's dress opened during the physical struggle to apply handcuffs, not by her own design. Intentionality is a required element. Without it, this charge fails. This is the weakest count of the three. On the force applied during the arrest, Graham versus Connor, 1989, holds that reasonableness is judged from the officer's perspective at the moment of decision, considering severity of the offense, immediacy of threat, and whether the subject is actively resisting. The subject was resisting. No weapons were present and no intermediate force was deployed. The takedown falls within the legal continuum under this standard. I have to pee. Once you stand up. >> Okay. Okay. Where do we go to close the curtain again? Is there a camera? Yes. Let's go. Where does it go? I'm sorry, I don't understand your question. Like who watches it? My department. Your department of the airports? Yes. And the TSA of the United States? >> You're not in TSA. You're the police. >> okay. So, we're going to walk downstairs. We're going to go to one of our patrol cars. Okay, I just have to pee. Can I have water first, please? No. You're not going to give me water? No, ma'am. Not after the scene you just caused. We can have water later. What did I do? You just threw yourself on the ground. I sat down. You did not sit down. You undid your dress. >> You exposed yourself to everyone in the airport. >> It's hot. I need water. >> You're being arrested. >> Okay. I'm I'm I'm not going to fight you. I promise. Well, you already did a little bit. >> Just wanted to call you Jeff. Yeah, what's your name? Sarah. Okay, Sarah. Let's try to calm down, okay? Can I have water? I have a bottle. I just need to fill it up. I just want water. HOLD THAT DOOR. >> WATER! >> [screaming] >> YOU GUYS ARE HEADING BACK TOWARDS US. THEY'RE DOWN THE RIGHT NOW. I want water. GIVE ME WATER! I NEED WATER! >> [screaming] >> NO! COME ON. YOU'LL GET WATER LATER. LET'S GO. >> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME WATER? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? LET'S GO. WALK DOWN THE STAIRS NOW. Walk down the stairs. I just want water. My mouth is so hot. Did you get that? Did you take any drugs or anything? No. I took I did take a drug earlier, but that's legal, right? Um Maybe like a couple of hours ago, right before I got to turn off. It didn't work. Attention. Attention. Reduce this. >> Post arrest officers questioned the subject about substance use without prior Miranda advisement. Under Miranda versus Arizona 1966, custodial interrogation requires advisement of rights before questioning begins. The subject's disclosure of Delta 8 THC consumption, a federally legal substance under the 2018 Farm Bill, may be subject to a suppression motion if introduced in prosecution. No. I'm just dehydrated. Um it's hot and I need water. And they won't give me any water. Okay, okay. Just drink and try to cooperate. I'll cooperate when I get water. No, you're going to cooperate and then we'll get you water. Stand in front of the car. No, it doesn't make any sense. That's what's going to happen. I want water. I want water. I'll cooperate. Okay, but let me get you water. I want water. I'm not hiding anything. Spread your legs. Spread your legs. No, we haven't even gotten one. Turn around. Okay. Walk this way. Yes. This way? Yes. Okay. Thank you. What's your first name? Sergeant. Sergeant? Thank you, Sergeant. I'm Paul. You're welcome, Paul. Go to the other side. And can I get some water? You'll get water. >> I know, but my mouth is so dry. It's hard to talk. Okay, you'll get water. If you stop talking, your mouth might not be so dry. Okay, I'll put it up. I think I can just fight it. We're getting you water. So, did you only take Delta 8 or did you take something else? No. And you haven't had any alcohol today? >> Correct. I'm not on Suboxone since May 5th, 2020. Okay. When I call my You can call your husband at booking. At where? At booking. No, when we get there? Yes. Probably not. Definitely not. Well, they're not made to be comfortable. Yeah, but I can feel them though. This is definitely my first time getting arrested. Check that off the bucket list. So, I can't take your cuffs off, but Can you feed me? I mean, give me the water. Yeah. You can put it up higher than that. Yeah. I just don't want you to pour it all over yourself on accident. Do you ever feel like you're living in a dream this whole entire time? You didn't get arrested for asking for water. When I call For screaming in the middle of the airport, taking your dress off, and resisting arrest. You were screaming. Okay, what's a good phone number for you? Hoffman, come here. What do you do for work? Get in the car and learn something. What do you do for work? Like what do you do for work? What's your job? Okay. Okay, Sarah, what bag What do you need to come with you? >> Can I have water first? You can have water once you get inside. >> Okay. What did you say? You can take one bag with you. Okay, just one. Out of the three? Yes. Okay. Can I Can you allow me from here? Are you going to You want me to tell you which one? >> I need you to tell me which one. Um let me think. Let me see. So, we have I'm trying to remember what I have in the car. I'm sorry. It's sorry I don't remember remember when um when you don't have water. I'm going to assume it's probably the blue bag. >> Yes, Louie. Yes. Go to the other side and unbuckle her seat belt. I like your watch, although I'm I'm I'm not a Apple user. I think that they're like the dark side. Uh I see. Android is better. Okay. Hi. So, I'll have you step out for me, Sarah. Okay. And does this place take a minute cuz I'm tall? I know you're tall. Yeah, grab her blue backpack. >> You'll get water inside. Okay. Hold on. I feel like I'm like moving slow. Like Like I'm fatigued, like emotionally exhausted. You know that I do research on burnout? Uh yeah, you said that. Oh, I did? Mhm. Nice. Yeah, I want to end burnout and I want to end mental illness, and I want to have world peace, and And want a a Nobel Peace Prize. We're going to walk to that door over there. Come on. I was saying hi. What's my What's my >> you guys will get some time to talk. Who? You two. Okay. Come on. You can fix it inside. No. >> we have to walk with this thing? We're almost there. Okay. We're just going to that door right there. >> Just tell me. So, my hair is in my mouth. Can you take it out? I feel my lip with my mouth. It's my mouth is so dry. Thank you. I appreciate you. I will eternally pray for you. It's um K. Smith. Yep. What was your name? Yeah. You can sit down if you want. They'll be in here in just a minute, and then you can get some water, okay? What does this say? It's just saying that they might pepper spray you if you do something wrong. So, I should like follow the rules. Yes. Do you want me to sit down? You can. I have contact lenses, okay? Okay, so you just need to tell the medical staff if you want to take them out. Okay. Okay, so I got some questions are yes or no. Are you sick, injured, or suicidal? No. Do you have a pacemaker or medical device in place? >> Chemotherapy or radiation in the last 30 days? No. Any chance you're pregnant at this time? Negative. >> any drugs or contraband on you that you would like to give your arresting officer? No. Hold on. What? All right. Do you have any drugs or contraband? She's got to answer the question. Drugs or contraband that you need to give your arresting Contraband? I'm sorry. Anything illegal. It is hard to hear. It's It's Well, it's cuz I'm um All right. We've addressed it. It's time to get some water. She's got to answer yes or no. Since I can you do this, I'll show you the water in the bathroom. Is that too big? Yeah. Officer Smith receives a B. Her de-escalation on the aircraft was sustained, patient, and tactically sound. The arrest decision and force applied are legally defensible. The grade is reduced for the absence of a CIT assessment despite clear behavioral indicators and for withholding water post arrest as a punitive measure, a practice carrying both humanitarian and civil liability implications. The subject receives a C+. Her refusal to comply with a lawful removal directive was legally unsupportable, and her physical resistance directly generated the most defensible charge. The grade is mitigated by behavioral indicators consistent with acute distress rather than willful criminal conduct and by the indecent exposure charge arising from a struggle rather than her own deliberate act. The department receives a B-. Officers maintained professional conduct throughout the encounter. The grade is reduced for failing to activate CIT protocol despite clear indicators and for filing an indecent exposure charge where intentionality cannot be established from the footage. Three lessons from this encounter. First, private carrier authority is broad, but law enforcement must independently assess whether a subject requires medical intervention before defaulting to criminal enforcement. Second, of three charges filed, only one is clearly legally supported. Overcharging undermines prosecutorial credibility and increases civil liability exposure. Third, Miranda obligations attach at custodial interrogation, not at booking. Statements obtained before advisement are suppressible. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like discussed in the comments below. Thank you for watching.