Man pleads guilty in Alaska flight diversion case

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A 38-year-old man arrested after what was described as unruly behavior that caused a Tokyo to New York flight to be diverted to Anchorage has pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew.

U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler's office on Friday announced the plea entered by Nobuya Michael Ochinero.

KTUU-TV reports that charging documents say the man was on several medications on Feb. 10 when he boarded the All Nippon Airways flight.

Court papers say Ochinero said he drank four shots of gin and two beers on board. Passengers and flight attendants say he pushed and berated them after he was refused further alcohol. He was eventually strapped to his chair until the plane landed in Anchorage.

Prosecutors say Ochinero has agreed to reimburse the airline for its costs.

Sentencing is set for July 7.

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Information from: KTUU-TV, http://www.ktuu.com