The FBI arrested a man after they said he punched a sleeping passenger on a United Airlines flight leaving San Francisco, causing blood splatters and bruises.

A jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 11 for Everett Chad Nelson, where prosecutors said they planned to present evidence in one day.

Efforts to speak with Nelson or his federal public defender on Thursday were unsuccessful.

In an affidavit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, an FBI agent described what allegedly occurred on the plane, bound for Dulles International Airport, on Monday around 12:30 p.m.

About two hours into the flight, the FBI agent said Nelson left his seat in the back of the plane and began going to the bathroom in the front of the plane.

He exited the bathroom, stopped in seat 12F and began “physically attacking” a sleeping passenger by “repeatedly punching him in the face and head until blood was drawn,” according to the affidavit.

The passenger suffered bruising to his eyes and a cut to his nose. Blood splatters were seen on the sleeves of Nelson’s lime green jacket, the FBI wrote.

The assault lasted one minute, during which the man began screaming and another passenger intervened and pulled Nelson out, the complaint states.

Nelson was then moved to the front of the plane and monitored by the passenger who intervened to help.

A doctor on board examined the man and treated his abrasions.

KGO-7 said the man was deaf and used sign language to communicate.

The FBI said there were several witnesses who saw what happened.

Nelson was not injured.

No motive was given for the attack.

As of Wednesday, Nelson was in federal custody, according to court documents.

A United spokeswoman said in an email that “thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers,” the passenger in question was restrained. The flight landed safely and was met by paramedics and law enforcement officers.

The FAA said its agents will investigate.

Airlines have reported more than 1,700 incidents of unruly passengers so far in 2024. Civil penalties can cost up to $37,000 per violation.

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This story was reported from Oakland, California.