Man charged with assaulting 2 passengers on New Jersey to Miami flight

A man has been arrested and charged with assaulting two passengers on a flight from New Jersey to Florida last week. Authorities said United Flight 728 took off shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday from Newark Liberty International Airport bound for Miami. About 50 minutes into the flight, John Yurkovich went to the rear of the aircraft and acted erratically upon return, yelling and demanding water before taking a pill, a passenger told authorities. Authorities said Yurkovich was found to have about 2 grams of methamphetamine and is also facing a state drug charge. According to the criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Joseph Hamski of Charleston, to which city the flight was diverted, the passenger said Yurkovich backed into him, and when he tried to keep Yurkovich from falling onto him, the other man became enraged. The passenger said the defendant removed his mask and began spittle-laced screaming into his face, then punched him several times, Hamski said. Federal authorities have charged Yurkovich with assault and assault resulting in serous bodily injury as well as criminal acts on an aircraft.<br/>