ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A man has been charged with felony assault following an unexpected and violent episode involving another passenger who was asleep on a flight across the country this week, as reported by law enforcement officials.

According to an FBI representative, Everett Chad Nelson violently attacked another man during the flight by repeatedly striking him in the face and head, causing significant injuries and bleeding. The encounter was only halted when another passenger intervened and pulled Nelson away from the victim.

The incident occurred on Monday during a flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia and reportedly lasted about a minute. An FBI affidavit detailed that Nelson had left his seat at the back of the aircraft to use a restroom located near the front before commencing the assault on the unsuspecting man, who sustained bruises around his eyes and a pronounced cut on his nose. There were also traces of blood found on Nelson’s windbreaker.

Following the assault, it was noted that Nelson was relocated to a seat closer to the front of the aircraft under observation by the passenger who intervened. Authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest that Nelson had any prior acquaintance with the victim, whose identity has not been disclosed.

The public defender who is representing Nelson has not yet responded to inquiries for comments on the matter.

In a ruling by a federal magistrate, it was determined that Nelson would remain in custody until his trial, which is set for December 11 in Alexandria, Virginia. The magistrate highlighted the incriminating evidence against Nelson, as well as his background of instability regarding employment and housing.

This incident is part of a broader trend, as there have been over 1,700 reports of unruly behavior by passengers on flights this year, indicating a rise from previous years. The surge in such reports first began in 2021 and, while there has been a decline over the last two years, the number of incidents remains above pre-pandemic levels.