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Passenger Who Tried to Open Emergency Exit and Attack Flight Attendant Is Sentenced

After pleading guilty to endangering flight crew, he faces five years of supervised release plus a ban on commercial flights.

FILE - The John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse is shown on Sept. 27, 2024 in Boston. (AP Photo/Steve LeBlanc, File)
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Overview

  • Federal authorities charged Francisco Severo Torres after he disarmed an emergency exit door and attacked a flight attendant during a United Airlines flight on March 5, 2023.
  • Prosecutors described how Torres moved the door’s locking handle and slide arming lever out of position, triggering an alarm and prompting a flight attendant’s inspection.
  • Video footage showed Torres threatening passengers and striking a crew member’s neck three times with a broken metal spoon.
  • Crew members and fellow passengers overpowered and restrained Torres until law enforcement took him into custody upon landing in Boston.
  • Torres was initially found incompetent to stand trial in July 2023 but regained competency, was indicted in September and pleaded guilty in May before his July sentencing.