Jul 30, 9:50 AM EDT

Tacoma man could face charges after flight tirade

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BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- A 50-year-old Tacoma man could face criminal charges after an outburst over a reading light during a flight from Honolulu to Bellingham International Airport.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Keith Leary tells The Bellingham Herald ( http://is.gd/f1ni1y ) authorities responded when the Alaska Airlines plane touched down early Saturday.

Leary says the man had asked a female passenger to turn off her reading light so he could sleep on the flight. When she declined, it set off an argument. Leary says the man did not make explicit threats to hurt anyone but shouted expletives at people on the plane.

Sheriff's deputies spoke with him after the flight and he was allowed to go home. His name was not released.

Federal authorities will decide whether he will face criminal charges for causing a disruption on the plane.

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