Just over a year after former New Jersey governor and presidential candidate Chris Christie's niece, Shannon Epstein, was kicked off a flight at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and accused of drunkenly biting, kicking and spitting on deputies who tried to arrest her, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney Office formally filed charges against her on Monday, court records said.
Epstein, 26, was charged with one felony, resisting police by force or violence, and two counts of disturbing the peace by public intoxication, a misdemeanor.
It took seven deputies to detain Epstein, who had to be strapped to a wheelchair during the scuffle, which occurred on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, 2022, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
While fighting with the deputies Epstein allegedly said, "Do you know who I am? I'm Chris Christie's daughter, and you're so f__ked. You will lose your job over this s_t. I know Donald Trump," according to an incident report.
Epstein was on board a Spirit Airlines flight to Newark that was taxiing to the runway when she reportedly asked a Hispanic family seated nearby if they were smuggling cocaine, authorities said. The crew returned the plane to the gate to remove Epstein from the flight.
A deputy sent to the gate found Epstein screaming at Spirit Airlines employees on the jet bridge, which she refused to leave, the Sheriff's Office said. Epstein is accused of pushing the deputies and pulling away as they tried to take her into custody.
With slurred words, Epstein ranted about knowing powerful people while twisting out of deputies’ grip, spitting at them, punching and kicking the officers, the Sheriff's Office said.
Epstein bit one deputy on the arm, breaking the skin. Five others reported minor injuries including scratches and bruises, authorities said.
Deputies used flexible handcuffs and leg shackles to secure Epstein in a wheelchair, though she continued to use obscene language, authorities said.
She was arrested and booked with six counts of battery of a police officer, three counts of disturbing the peace, one count of resisting arrest and one count of remaining at a place after being forbidden.
Epstein was released the same day from the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna on a $10,750 bond.
If convicted of resisting arrest, the more serious of the charges, Epstein faces at least one year in prison with a maximum sentence of three years.