Flight diverted to XNA, man arrested on suspicion of smoking on plane

Aghasi Melikian
Aghasi Melikian

A flight from Dallas to Springfield, Mo. stopped at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport late Tuesday after a man was caught smoking on the plane, according to police records.

Aghasi Melikian, 32, of 10011 Yolanda Ave. in North Ridge, Calif., was arrested Wednesday by Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Police in connection with tobacco use on an airplane and possession of a controlled substance, according to jail records.

At 10:45 p.m. Tuesday airport police were sent to meet American Eagle flight 3239 that had been diverted because of a passenger smoking on the plane, according to a police affidavit.

Two passengers told airport police that Melikian had walked to the restroom then returned to his seat at the back of the plane smelling of tobacco smoke.

Officers found pills and cigarettes in an eyeglasses case that had been in a boot stuffed behind Melikian's seat, and jailers found drug paraphernalia in his carry-on luggage, according to the affidavit.

Melikian was being held Wednesday in the Benton County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

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