Rhodes had arrived from Aruba and was awaiting a connecting flight to Massachusetts when he approached Khan the Delta Air Lines Sky Club lounge. Khan was wearing a hijab. Rhobes went to the door of her office and asked if she was sleeping or praying. He then reportedly punched the door and threatened Khan. He is also accused of kicking her in the right leg. Another person tried to calm down Rhodes but he is accused of following Khan as she ran to the front desk. Rhodes then allegedly got on his knees and pretended to be praying as a Muslim. He also is quoted as saying “You can ask Germany, Belgium and France about these kind of people. You will see what happens.”
He is now facing charges of with assault, unlawful imprisonment, menacing and harassment as hate crimes, and related charges. Those charges can add up to four years in prison.
Rhodes’ mother has gone public to say that he is a kind individual who hires people of any faith in his company.
Notably, the company appears to have removed Rhodes’ name from its website.