Pastor 'assaults wife' in plane meltdown because she got a first class upgrade and he didn't
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An elderly evangelical pastor has allegedly assaulted his wife on an airplane - all because she got upgraded to first class and he didn't.
Roger Allan Holmberg Sr., 75, is facing federal charges following the disturbing incident on July 2 aboard Alaska Airlines flight 275 from Seattle to Anchorage.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by The Independent, Holmberg verbally abused his spouse Patti and even flipped her off in front of horrified witnesses before things turned physical.
The couple, married for just 18 months following the death of Holmberg's previous wife, were traveling to Alaska from their home in Virginia for a meeting 'related to their ministry'.
But their trip took a turbulent turn when Holmberg discovered 59-year-old Patti had been upgraded to first class.
Roger Allan Holmberg Sr (pictured), 75, is facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting his wife on July 2 aboard Alaska Airlines flight 275 from Seattle to Anchorage
Holmberg (right) reportedly verbally abused his spouse Patti (left) and even flipped her off in front of horrified witnesses before things turned physical.
An Alaska Airlines spokesperson confirmed that Holmberg 'has been banned from our flights'
Witnesses, including an off-duty police officer reported three separate confrontations during the 3.5-hour flight.
First, Holmberg stormed up to first class, demanding: 'How the hell did you get the upgrade?'
'I'm [a] gold point member,' Holmberg's wife replied. 'Don't speak to me like that.'
He returned and told Patti to read something on his phone before 'giving her the finger'
Then in the final incident, Holmberg allegedly 'struck the top of victim's head with his hand.'
The couple (pictured), married for just 18 months following the death of Holmberg's previous wife, were traveling to Alaska from their home in Virginia for a meeting 'related to their ministry'
The pastor's wife (right) later revealed to authorities that this wasn't the first time she had suffered abuse at his hands. Holmberg (left) was arrested upon landing in Anchorage and is set to appear in court on Monday. If convicted, he faces up to a year behind bars
The off-duty police officer intervened, threatening to put Holmberg in handcuffs if he caused any further disturbances.
The pastor's wife later revealed to authorities that this wasn't the first time she had suffered abuse at his hands.
Patti claimed Holmberg had previously broken her finger during a confrontation last September.
When questioned by the FBI, Holmberg attempted to downplay the incident, insisting he merely 'tapped his wife on the head in passing to get her attention'.
He also claimed his wife was 'disrespectful' and had 'anger issues', even accusing her of grabbing his genitals 'with such force that he was in pain' in the past.
Holmberg was arrested upon landing in Anchorage and is set to appear in court on Monday. If convicted, he faces up to a year behind bars.
An Alaska Airlines spokesperson also confirmed to the outlet that Holmberg 'has been banned from our flights'.
