The 60-year-old man who pleaded guilty to slapping a crying toddler on a plane has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison, two months longer than prosecutors recommended, the Associated Press reports via USA Today.
Joe Rickey Hundley pleaded guilty in October after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, and was sentenced Monday.
Prosecutors say that in February 2013, Hundley was seated next to Jessica Bennett, who shared a seat with her son, Jonah. As the flight began to descend to the Atlanta airport, Jonah began to cry. Hundley then told Bennett to "shut that n——r baby up," before slapping the 19-month-old boy in the face, causing a scratch below the toddler's eye.
The judge said he imposed a higher sentence in part because of Hundley's criminal history, which includes a prior assault, AP reports.
Hundley's lawyer objected, as the plea agreement had only called for six months, and told AP after the hearing that she believes the sentence is disproportionate.
Read more at the USA Today.