Latest news with #FBINewark
CBS News
12-02-2025
- CBS News
New Jersey man accused of threatening passengers, crew members on flight from Florida
NEWARK, N.J. -- A New Jersey man is accused of threatening passengers and crew members onboard a flight to Newark from Miami, Florida. Federal prosecutors charged 27-year-old Luis Vaquero, of Passaic County, with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Prosecutors said Vaquero started harassing and threatening passengers shortly after takeoff on Feb. 9. He allegedly mocked a group of Jewish passengers and threatened physical violence toward a minor with disabilities. He is also accused of threatening a crew member who refused to serve him alcohol after beverage service had ended, telling her in part, "You better watch out." Once the flight landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, the crew alerted law enforcement to meet the plane. Prosecutors said when Vaquero heard the announcement that law enforcement was on the way, he started banging on the cockpit door and demanded to see the pilot. He's accused of threatening to break a crew member's jaw and threatening the pilot while just inches from his face. "Over the course of a 3-hour flight, we allege Vaquero lost his temper and physically harassed not only the crew and captain, but passengers, making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passenger," Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said in a statement. "It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot. The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members. FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal—they're breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice." Vaquero was escorted off the plane and taken into custody. He later appeared in federal court and was released.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
N.J. man arrested, charged with issuing threats, racial slurs on Miami-Newark flight
Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A New Jersey man was arrested after he was accused of threatening passengers and crew and spewing racist comments on a fight from Miami to Newark. On Sunday, 27-year-old Luis A. Vaquero of Passaic County was arrested after he landed at Newark Liberty International Airport. He has been charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Vikas Khanna. Vaquero appeared Monday in a Newark federal court but was then released. "The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members," Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly wrote in a statement. "FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal -- they're breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice." Authorities say his tirade began shortly after takeoff and that, among other acts, he mocked a group of Jewish passengers and issued veiled threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor. He also threatened flight crew after they refused to serve him alcohol during the three-hour flight. And as a flight attendant tried to intervene, Vaquero allegedly yelled expletives and racist slurs at her mid-air. Upon landing, Vaquero "forced his way to the front of the plane" near the cockpit once he heard law enforcement were on the way, banging on the door and aggressively yelled at the captain, officials said. He "continued to make threats to the captain while six inches from his face until law enforcement intervened," according to prosecutors. If convicted, Vaquero faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. This incident came not long after a similar one in which passengers on a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Houston last week restrained a man when he became combative kicking the seats and breaking a Plexiglass window.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- The Independent
Man charged for threatening flight attendants ‘when they refused to serve him more alcohol'
A New Jersey man has been charged for allegedly threatening crew and passengers on a plane heading to the state from Florida this week. Luis A Vaquero, 27, of Passaic County, refused to comply with flight attendant instructions, banged on the cockpit door and called out and threatened the captain after the flight departed from Miami on Saturday. Vaquero began making disturbing comments shortly after the flight took off, according to a release from the US Department of Justice. The reported remarks included threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers, the release noted. Officials allege he then threatened a flight crew member who declined to serve him alcohol after the beverage window service closed. The suspect allegedly told the crew member: 'You better watch out, sh**'s gonna happen to you.' After the plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, the captain made an announcement requesting that all passengers remain seated so law enforcement could first remove a passenger. That's when the man forced his way to the front of the plane and banged on the flight deck door. He reportedly said: 'I need the pilot to come outside!' A flight attendant tried to stop the interaction and Vaquero yelled at them, 'I will really break your f****** jaw', using a racial slur. 'I want to see that f****** captain!' The man allegedly continued to scream expletives and called the captain the N-word. The captain emerged from the cockpit and the man proceeded to make threats within six inches of him until law enforcement responded. Officials later escorted Vaquero off the plane. He was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. He faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. 'Over the course of a three-hour flight, we alleged Vaquero lost his temper and physically harassed not only the crew and captain, but passengers, making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passenger,' said Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly. 'It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot. 'The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members. FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal—they're breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice.' Officials did not provide additional details about the incident. Vaquero had an initial court appearance on Monday before being released.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Passenger charged after threatening flight attendants, banging on cockpit door
A New Jersey man was charged with threatening flight passengers, attendants and crew members on a flight from Miami, Florida, to Newark, New Jersey. According to the complaint, Luis Vaquero made "threats of physical violence against a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers." It said that he also threatened a flight attendant when they refused to serve him more alcohol. MORE: American Airlines flight delayed by suspected bomb threat When the plane arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, the captain made an announcement that law enforcement would be removing a passenger, according to the complaint. It said that Vaquero then left his seat and began banging on the flight deck door and cursing at the captain while the plane was taxiing. When the plane arrived at the gate, the complaint said the captain emerged from the flight deck and Vaquero approached him, screaming in his face and threatening him until law enforcement officers boarded the plane and escorted Vaquero off. MORE: Recent plane crashes induce anxiety for many travelers "The defendant is charged with threatening flight crew members and passengers while traveling to Newark," Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna said in a press release. "We are committed to keeping the skies safe for flying and will prosecute those who criminally interfere with the professionals responsible for ensuring passenger safety." "It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot," Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said in the release. "The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members," Reilly added. "FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal—they're breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice." Passenger charged after threatening flight attendants, banging on cockpit door originally appeared on
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Comes Clean About NJ Drones He Hyped: ‘Not the Enemy'
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey that began in November 'were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.' 'Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. And in time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy,' she told reporters. The sightings, which fascinated the nation and even occurred over Donald Trump's golf club in Bedminster, prompted the FAA to restrict drone use in some parts of New Jersey. The FBI Newark, NJ State Police, and NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness asked the public to provide information on the sightings. NYC Mayor Eric Adams, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul all expressed concern and a sense of urgency about getting to the bottom of the issue. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham said the drones across New Jersey might be looking for radioactive material. New Jersey's Democrat Congressman Van Drew even claimed Iran sent them. However, the Pentagon denied the claim. On Dec. 13, Trump said in a Truth Social post that the 'Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country' were likely not operating without government knowledge. He said that if they were being flown under the radar, people should 'shoot them down!!!' Three days later, Trump claimed 'the government knows what's happening.' On Monday, Trump asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to get to the bottom of the sightings, which resulted in Tuesday's statement from the White House press secretary.
