William Paul, son of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and a UK student, was arrested Saturday morning and charged with underage consumption of alcohol, being intoxicated and disruptive, simple assault and disorderly conduct, according to FOX 56 in Lexington.

The arrest followed Paul’s behavior on a flight traveling from Kentucky to Charlotte, N.C., according to police. Police said Paul was arrested at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

A US Airways spokesman released a statement Monday, stating, “William Hilton Paul slept through drink service and was not served any alcohol on US Airways flight 4033 from Lexington to Charlotte.”

Paul was released about two-and-a-half hours after he was booked at the Mecklenburg County Jail, according to county records, FOX reported.

Rand Paul’s office issued a statement regarding the matter.

“Sen. Paul is a national public figure and subject to scrutiny in the public arena. However, as many parents with teenagers would understand, his family should be afforded the privacy and respect they deserve in a situation such as this,” the statement said.

STAFF REPORT