Former pastor banned from Alaska Airlines after allegedly hitting wife mid-flight
Boeing 737-790 aircraft belonging to Alaska Airlines is seen flying at Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, United States on July 2, 2024. . (Photo by Hasan Akbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A former pastor has been reportedly banned from Alaska Airlines for allegedly hitting his wife onboard a flight.
According to court documents obtained by FOX Television Stations, Roger Allan Holmberg Sr. struck his wife onboard an Alaska Airlines flight on July 2 from Seattle to Anchorage.
One witness reported that Holmberg struck his wife on the head.
A second witness reported hearing Holmberg telling his wife "How the hell did you get the upgrade?" to which the victim replied, "I'm gold point member. Don't speak to me like that."
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The witness then reported seeing Holmberg handing his cell phone to his wife and telling her to read it before he gave her the finger.
According to KTUU, his wife, Patti, said her husband "wanted me to read something on his cell phone, so I just glanced over his phone, and I gave it right back to him, and then he sat down," she explained. "And then a few moments later, he got back up and hit me on the head."
Holmberg and his wife told authorities that they had been going to marriage counseling.
Holmberg told authorities that his wife has had anger issues in the past. He later told investigators that he was upset that his wife got an upgrade because he wanted the two of them to sit together.
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"He stated he was not a violent person and did not intend to hurt his wife," the criminal complaint read. He was arrested for simple assault.
I wish more women could, you know, stand up for themselves and just say that person is not worth my time. You know, I love him, but I love him enough to let him go," Patti told the news outlet.
According to KTUU, Holmberg served as pastor at Grace Baptist Temple in Anchorage.
The airline confirmed to FOX Television Stations that Holmberg has been banned from future flights.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.