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Flight diverted after passenger accused of playing unwanted game of footsie

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE/WCMH) – A Southwest Airlines flight was diverted to Albuquerque Tuesday after a man was accused of playing an unwanted game of footsie with a fellow passenger.

According to a criminal complaint, Justin Riley Brafford also touched the woman sitting next to him on the leg and tugged on her sweater while whispering profanities in her ear.

The complaint said Brafford took the middle seat between two women on the flight.

A flight attendant granted the woman’s request to change seats and then confronted Brafford.

Authorities say that’s when he yelled at the crew and the pilot diverted the Los Angeles to Dallas flight to Albuquerque.

Brafford told police the woman came on to him and started flirting with him. He said he put his hand on her leg after he felt like they were connecting, but said he may have gone too far, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Brafford is charged with simple assault.