Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Penn State Abington Professor Arrested For Smoking, Screaming About Hugo Chavez on Airplane

Penn State Abington sociology professor Karen Bettez Halnon was arrested over the weekend for disorderly conduct on a flight from Nicaragua to Miami, according to Miami New Times.

According to UNICA, Halnon was in Nicaragua with two students to conduct research on “mothers, singles, and catholic faith in Nicaragua.” It is unclear if the students were with her on the return flight.

Although disorderly conduct was the criminal charge, Halnan was downright unruly according to eyewitnesses and videos uploaded by passengers. The Daily Mail reported that an eyewitness claimed Halnon yelled, “Barack Obama kills people on Tuesdays.” She reportedly lamented for two hours on Venezuelan-American conflict, and said Hugo Chavez was her “great hero.” She later smoked a lit cigarette and tried to blame it on the person next to her, all of which was captured on video.

The Reddit user who captured the video below described his experience on the flight.

I definitely got nervous when she starting using the b-word (you know, the one word you aren’t supposed to use on planes). I have flown a ton in the past but this is the first time I was ever nervous on a plane.

Miami New Times reported that Halnon told police that were on hand to arrest her when the plane landed, “Fuck you, this is not a democracy!”

Her bond was set at $500, which she has since posted.

Photo courtesy of Miami New Times

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

‘There’s No Place Like Home’: Lizzie Palmieri’s Senior Column

“There were things that mattered and things that didn’t. Oftentimes, a quick peek behind the curtain was just enough to tell the difference.”

[Photo Story] Campus From A Worm’s Eye View

Our worm friends took us on a guided tour of campus and showed us what they see from the world below.

‘United In That Passion For Events & Music’: Movin’ On Executive Director Leading Festival For Second Year

“My top takeaway from [Movin’ On] is the people and relationships that I’ve been able to make through it.”

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Megan

Wilkes-Barre Campus Closed Due To Bomb Threat

A threatening message was discovered on a bathroom door in the campus’ Science Center that warned a bomb was in the building, and it would detonate some time before noon on Friday, March 4.

Graduate School Revokes Doctorate For Plagiarism

Penn State Professor Receives Presidential Honor