Man Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Wife on Alaska Airlines Flight

A Seattle man, Roger Allan Holmberg Sr., was arrested on July 2 while flying from Seattle to Anchorage after allegedly assaulting his wife during the flight. According to court documents, the incident began when Holmberg's wife received a first-class upgrade due to her airline membership status, which reportedly upset him. Witnesses reported that Holmberg confronted his wife, attempting to swing his arm towards her, prompting concern from fellow passengers. The situation escalated when a witness, identified as "AS," intervened after hearing the couple's argument. AS recounted that he warned Holmberg he would be placed in handcuffs if any further disturbances occurred. Following the incident, the Anchorage Airport Police were alerted while the flight was still airborne, leading to Holmberg's arrest upon landing. Holmberg's wife disclosed to authorities that her husband had a history of domestic abuse, including a prior incident in which he broke her finger. She expressed fear for her safety, particularly due to her epilepsy, which could be exacerbated by head trauma. Although she reported being struck on the head during the flight, police noted that there were no visible injuries. In his defense, Holmberg claimed he was upset about the seating arrangement and denied hitting his wife, stating he merely "tapped" her on the head to get her attention. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding domestic violence and passenger safety in air travel.