Woman assaulted TSA officers at Sky Harbor Airport over apple juice, court documents allege

PHOENIX - An Arkansas woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury after she allegedly assaulted several TSA officers at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport over apple juice.

The incident, according to a statement from the TSA, happened at around 5:55 a.m. on April 25 at Terminal 4's Checkpoint D when a female traveler allegedly attacked TSA officers during a security screening process, injuring three of them.

TSA officials say of the three security officers injured, two of them were taken to an area hospital, where they were later released. The incident also resulted in Checkpoint D's closure.

Court documents revealed that the woman, identified as 19-year-old Makiah Cherae Coleman, was upset over apple juice that had been taken from her during the screening.

"[Coleman] was ranting and raving about the apple juice and walks around the barrier and attempts to grab the bin containing her items being screened from the TSA agent," read the probable cause statement.

The 19-year-old reportedly climbed a table, striking an agent on the head and ripping his shirt. They tried to restrain her, but court documents said she eventually wrested free. She punched another TSA agent and pulled on her ponytail during the assault, officials said.

Woman attacked Sky Harbor TSA officers over apple juice, police say

Court documents allege that Makiah Coleman, 19, became upset after a TSA agent took her apple juice at a security checkpoint.

The woman is also accused of biting a third agent who tried to stop her.

"Unfortunately, this situation not only resulted in three of our TSA officers being injured, but inconvenienced approximately 450 travelers who had to be redirected to a nearby checkpoint for security screening due to the actions of this traveler," read a portion of TSA's statement.

Coleman was indicted by a grand jury on May 17 for three counts of assault and three counts of interference with airport security screening personnel, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Each conviction for assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

TSA officials also reminded travelers that "threats, verbal abuse or physical violence of any kind against our employees is not tolerated and will result in criminal penalties and fines of up to $13,910."