Overview

• Torres tampered with a United Airlines emergency exit about 45 minutes before landing and then lunged at a flight attendant, striking the neck three times with a broken metal spoon.
• He pleaded guilty in May to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.
• Flight attendants and fellow passengers subdued Torres and he was taken into custody by federal agents upon arrival at Boston Logan International Airport.
• U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris imposed time served—approximately 26 months in prison—followed by supervised release and a ban on commercial air travel.
• Earlier mental competence hearings and treatment orders influenced the case and highlighted the importance of cabin safety protocols and psychiatric evaluations in preventing in-flight violence.