In a disturbing incident at Salt Lake City International Airport, 31-year-old Cody Sierra Marie Bryne faces multiple charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a Delta Air Lines employee shortly after being removed from a flight. The event, which unfolded on October 2, 2025, highlights ongoing concerns about unruly passenger behavior in the aviation industry. Authorities have charged Bryne with sexual battery, assault, interfering with a peace officer, and public intoxication, all stemming from her alleged actions during and after the flight disruption. This case adds to a growing tally of alcohol-fueled disturbances at U.S. airports since the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the challenges faced by airline staff and law enforcement.
Cody Sierra Marie Bryne, a resident of an unspecified location, was en route to Portland, Oregon, when the altercation began. Court documents detail a sequence of events that escalated rapidly from non-compliance to physical violence. The Salt Lake City Police Department responded swiftly, leading to her arrest and booking into Salt Lake County Jail. As of October 8, 2025, Bryne remains in custody awaiting her first court appearance, scheduled for early the following week. Prosecutors are pursuing misdemeanor charges, which could result in significant penalties, including fines and potential jail time. Federal regulations also open the door to civil penalties of up to $37,000 for interfering with flight crew operations.
This episode serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in air travel security and the immediate risks posed by intoxicated individuals. Delta Air Lines has reaffirmed its strict policies against such conduct, emphasizing passenger and employee safety as non-negotiable priorities. While details about the victim’s condition remain private, the airline has confirmed ongoing support for the affected staff member. The incident has drawn attention from local media and aviation watchdogs, prompting discussions on preventive measures at busy hubs like Salt Lake City.
The Onboard Disruption and Removal
The trouble started aboard Delta Flight DL-1234, bound for Portland from Salt Lake City, as passengers were boarding in the late afternoon of October 2. According to affidavits filed in Salt Lake County District Court, Cody Sierra Marie Bryne positioned herself in the aircraft’s aisle and refused repeated directives from flight attendants to proceed to her assigned seat. Witnesses described her as visibly unsteady, with a strong odor of alcohol emanating from her person. She struggled to maintain coherent speech and required physical assistance to navigate the cabin, signs that quickly alarmed the crew.
Flight attendants, trained to identify potential safety risks, notified the captain within minutes. The pilot, citing federal aviation guidelines on disruptive passengers, issued an immediate order to deplane Bryne. This decision was not taken lightly; airline protocols mandate swift action when a traveler’s behavior could endanger others or delay operations. As Bryne was escorted toward the jet bridge, she escalated the situation by using her shoulder to shove one Delta employee into a nearby seat. Court records quote her yelling a direct threat at the worker: “If I ever find you alone, b****.” This verbal aggression, combined with the physical contact, prompted the crew to summon airport police for backup.
The removal process, intended to be routine, turned chaotic as Cody Sierra Marie Bryne resisted compliance. She attempted to bolt past security barriers into a restricted area of the terminal, forcing Delta personnel to physically intervene. This breach attempt violated multiple airport security protocols, heightening the response from on-site authorities. By the time officers arrived, Bryne had already demonstrated a pattern of non-cooperation that would define the subsequent assault allegations. The flight, delayed by approximately 45 minutes, eventually departed without her, leaving passengers to recount the ordeal to investigators.
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This phase of the incident illustrates the split-second judgments required of airline staff. Delta’s operational logs, referenced in police reports, confirm that the crew followed all standard procedures, including documentation of the passenger’s intoxication level. No injuries were reported among onboard personnel at this stage, but the event set the tone for the violence that followed in the terminal. Aviation experts note that such disruptions have increased by over 30% at major U.S. airports since 2020, often linked to post-pandemic travel stress and relaxed alcohol consumption norms.
The Terminal Assault and Arrest
Once off the plane, Bryne’s actions took a more violent turn in the public areas of the terminal. As Delta employees worked to contain her and prevent access to secure zones, she allegedly grabbed one female staffer by the back of the neck. Court documents describe how Bryne then forced the employee’s head downward toward the ground while simultaneously pulling her hair in an attempt to overpower her. The victim, whose identity is protected under privacy laws, managed to break free, but not before sustaining minor injuries that required medical evaluation.
In the immediate aftermath, Bryne circled back to the same employee and committed the alleged sexual battery. Police affidavits state that she grabbed and twisted the woman’s breast, an act classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Utah law due to its intentional and non-consensual nature. This assault occurred in full view of other travelers and staff, amplifying the trauma for witnesses. Bryne then fled toward the airport’s main exit, weaving through crowds in a disoriented state. Surveillance footage, reviewed by investigators, captured her erratic path, including attempts to solicit help from bystanders.
Officers located Cody Sierra Marie Bryne moments later at a nearby ticket counter, where she was attempting to purchase a seat on a competing airline’s flight to Portland. When approached for arrest, she resisted, pulling away from the detaining officer and requiring a second responder to apply handcuffs. The struggle lasted less than a minute but resulted in an additional charge of interfering with a peace officer, a Class B misdemeanor. Upon transport to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s processing center, Bryne underwent field sobriety tests, which confirmed elevated blood alcohol levels consistent with her observed impairment.
Medical personnel at the jail cleared her for booking without immediate health concerns, though she was noted as combative during intake. The assaulted employee’s statement, included in the probable cause affidavit, detailed the physical and emotional impact, describing the grabs as forceful and sustained for several seconds. No weapons were involved, but the proximity to security checkpoints raised alarms about potential escalation. This terminal-phase violence has been pivotal in the prosecution’s case, providing clear eyewitness accounts and video evidence to support the charges.
Charges, Denials, and Broader Implications
Cody Sierra Marie Bryne was formally charged on October 3, 2025, in Salt Lake County Court with four counts: sexual battery (Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $2,500 fine), assault (Class B, up to six months and $1,000), interfering with a peace officer (Class B, same penalties), and public intoxication (Class C, up to 90 days and $750). Prosecutors have also flagged the case for review by the Federal Aviation Administration, which could impose the aforementioned $37,000 civil fine for flight crew interference. Bryne’s bond hearing is pending, with the court considering her lack of prior record—public searches show no previous arrests—as a mitigating factor.
During a post-arrest interview, Bryne denied all physical contact allegations, insisting she had not touched the Delta employee’s breast or assaulted anyone. She admitted to consuming alcohol earlier that day, estimating three beers, but claimed sobriety at the time of boarding. This contradicts crew observations and sobriety test results, which documented slurred speech, balance issues, and an inability to follow simple instructions. Her attorney has not yet commented publicly, but sources close to the case suggest a plea of not guilty on grounds of diminished capacity due to intoxication.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement on October 4, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance: “The safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority, and we take all incidents seriously.” The airline has placed Bryne on an internal no-fly list, barring her from future travel on Delta and its partners. Support for the victim includes paid leave and counseling services, standard under the company’s employee assistance program. Airport officials report no disruptions to other flights, but the event has prompted a review of alcohol sales policies in pre-boarding lounges.
On a larger scale, this incident reflects a troubling trend: Salt Lake City police have logged over 50 alcohol-related unruly passenger arrests in 2025 alone, a 40% rise from pre-pandemic levels. Factors include heightened travel volumes, economic pressures, and lax enforcement during recovery years. Advocacy groups like the Association of Flight Attendants are calling for stricter pre-flight screening and harsher penalties to deter such behavior. As Bryne’s case progresses, it may influence legislative pushes for nationwide “zero tolerance” laws in aviation. For now, it stands as a cautionary example of how quickly a routine trip can spiral into criminal liability, leaving lasting scars on victims and the industry alike.
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