Man arrested for refusing to wear mask at Salt Lake City International Airport

A 44-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after refusing to wear a face mask on a flight departing from Salt Lake City International Airport.

The man had boarded the late Delta plane at 10:40 pm He rushed past the gatekeeper, according to a probable cause statement for his arrest, and descended the ramp to his seat.

The officer followed the man, asking him to put on a mask due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He refused.

The captain and flight attendants also asked later, but the man became “argumentative” and refused to cover his face, according to arrest documents. Staff then called airport security to escort the man off the plane. He also refused to budge.