Idaho Man Charged with Slapping Child on a Flight Makes Court Appearance

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho man charged with slapping a toddler on a Minneapolis-to-Atlanta flight has made an initial appearance in federal court. Joe Rickey Hundley surrendered to federal agents Tuesday morning and then stood before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mikel H. Williams via video at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Hundley, of Hayden, Idaho, was released by the magistrate on $10,000 bond. As conditions of his release, the 60-year-old cannot drink alcohol or possess firearms and must surrender his passport. He cannot travel outside of Idaho, eastern Washington state, or the northern district of Georgia, where the case will be tried. Hundley is accused of slapping the 19-month-old boy during a Feb. 8 flight. Hundley has been charged in Atlanta with simple assault. His attorney says he will plead not guilty.