Gill Parker Payne, 37-years-old, from Gastonia, North Carolina was on Southwest Airlines flight flying from Chicago to Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 11th 2015, reported by The Smoking Gun.
Gill was sat a number of rows behind a Muslim lady identified only as K.A. who was wearing a headscarf. Payne reportedly stood up and walked toward where K.A. was seated and shouted at her "Take it off! This is America!".
Whilst the plane was still in flight, Gill grabbed the back of the ladies hijab and pulled it completely off her head. The victim, who felt violated and embarrassed with the situation quickly grabbed her head scarf and placed it back on her head.
Mr. Parker has pleaded guilty to the offence as he used force to obstruct the victim’s freedom to exercise her religious beliefs.Gil faces a maximum fine of $100,000 and one year in prison. He is currently not allowed to travel outside of North Carolina and is barred from possessing guns, using alcohol, and having contact with K.A.