Authorities arrested a woman identifying herself as the niece of former Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thanksgiving for allegedly causing a disturbance on a plane.
Police arrested Shannon Epstein at approximately 6 a.m. after she was removed from an airplane at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Captain Jason Rivarde of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Daily Caller. The 25-year-old boarded the Spirits flight heading to New Jersey and allegedly asked a family who appeared to be Latino if they were “smuggling cocaine,” according to NOLA.com.
Airline workers requested that she be removed from the plane as she allegedly caused a disturbance on the aircraft, the outlet reported. The plane, which had been prepared for takeoff, was forced to return to the gate allegedly due to her behavior.
Deputies from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrived, but Epstein allegedly refused to comply with deputies as they attempted to escort her out of the terminal, Rivarde told the Caller. She then allegedly injured six officers by biting one and kicking another in the groin as officers attempted to arrest her.
“Shannon Epstein was arrested on Thanksgiving morning around 6:00 am after she was removed from a flight at Louis Armstrong International Airport,” Rivarde told the Daily Caller. “When deputies initially made contact with her on the jet bridge, she became extremely combative. During her arrest, she injured 6 deputies, biting one and kicking another in the groin. She was eventually secured in a wheelchair and removed from the area.”
Police said that she displayed signs of intoxication by slurring her words and having foam escape from the sides of her mouth, the New York Post reported. At one point, she reportedly broke free from officers which led authorities to surround her.
Chris Christie’s niece, Shannon Epstein, was kicked off a plane in New Orleans for accusing a family she perceived to be Latino of smuggling cocaine. When deputies tried to arrest her, she kicked, bit and spit at them, injuring 6. https://t.co/Vsg0TshrFL
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) December 3, 2022
While being detained, she reportedly revealed her alleged connections to Christie and former President Donald Trump, according to the New York Post.
“I heard Epstein berate Deputy Ducos and the two agents,” an officer with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office described, according to the New York Post. “Epstein refused to follow their direction to exit the jetway. Epstein screamed: ‘Are you serious? Do you know who I am? I’m related to some very powerful people and I need to get back on that plane to New Jersey.'”
“Do you know who I am? I’m Chris Christie’s daughter and you’re so f—ed. You will lose your job over this s—. I know Donald Trump,” she allegedly screamed, according to the outlet. “By this time tomorrow you will both be in jail. What the f— did I do? I’m a lesbian. Is that it? Do you want put your dick in me? That’s it, isn’t it. That’s what this is all about? You want to put your dick in my mouth, don’t you? You’re so f—ed, you asshole.” (RELATED: Trump’s Niece Alleges In Forthcoming Book That He Cheated On The SAT To Get Into Wharton)
Seven deputies handcuffed her to a wheelchair and transported her to the airport security office, NOLA.com reported. She was booked to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center and charged with six counts of battery on a police officer, three counts of disturbing the peace, one count of resisting arrest and one of remaining after being forbidden.
She was released on a $10,750 bond and is scheduled to make a Jan. 23 court appearance in Jefferson Parish, the outlet reported.