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SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah brothers who were arrested after alleged drunken misconduct at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport have now issued a statement clarifying the mistake.
Randy F. Lindsey, 48, of Salt Lake City, and Ricky J. Lindsey, 53, of Heber City, Utah, were arrested June 15 after they became drunk and began harassing the flight crew of a plane and resisting arrest, police said. Ricky Lindsey is the chairman and CEO of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. based in Sandy.
The police report said that police were called at 9 p.m. to help contain the situation, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pilot on a Delta Airlines flight had allegedly refused to allow the man on the plane, and Delta workers were trying to hold back 6- foot-3 Randy Lindsey as he lunged at employees. Ricky Lindsey, 6-foot-5, yelled at police officers and attempted to stop officers from arresting his brother, the Tribune reported.
The brothers recently released a statement to explain the situation. The statement called the arrest "an unfortunate encounter" with police officers and that the family found the situation "shocking and deeply disappointing."
"The portrayal of what occurred at the airport is neither accurate nor the full story," Ricky Lindsey wrote in the statement. "I admit that I did come to the defense of my brother. When getting settled on the airplane, Randy became agitated trying to explain to a Delta Airline flight attendant that due to chronic leg pain he could not be seated as directed.
"When the discussion escalated, Randy was escorted off the plane. I quickly followed in hopes of helping to defuse the situation, but instead I was accused of being aggressive toward police, and we were both taken into custody. This is an embarrassing situation, and in no way did I intend for my actions to be disrespectful."
The statement said that the Lindsey family "respects law enforcement and as a Delta Million Mile Club flyer who travels extensively for business, I always respect the rules designed to ensure safe air travel."
The brothers were each charged with one felony count of aggravated battery and two misdemeanor counts of resisting a police officer. Their bond was set at $50,000 each by Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr.
