Latest news with #LuisVaquero
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
A disruptive passenger threatened to break a flight attendant's jaw then yelled in the captain's face after abusing fellow travelers, FBI says
Prosecutors say an airline passenger threatened fellow travelers, flight attendants, and the captain. He also mocked Jewish travelers during the flight from Miami to New Jersey, an affidavit says. Luis Vaquero was arrested and charged in a New Jersey court with interfering with a flight crew. An airline passenger has been criminally charged after being accused of threatening the flight's staff and passengers. Luis Vaquero, 27, was flying from Miami to Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday when he became abusive toward fellow passengers and staff, per the complaint. An FBI special agent's affidavit says that during the flight, Vaquero was "making threats of physical violence against a disabled minor" and "mocking a group of Jewish passengers." The affidavit adds that a flight attendant who observed Vaquero's behavior declined to serve him alcohol after the flight's beverage service had ended. The affidavit says that Vaquero then told the staff member, "You better watch out, shit's gonna happen to you." The affidavit says Vaquero continued to be disruptive throughout the three-hour flight, prompting the crew to ask that law enforcement be present upon arrival. "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," Terence G. Reilly, the acting head of the FBI's Newark office said in a press release. After the captain announced over the public address system that a passenger would be removed by law enforcement, Vaquero got up and started banging on the cockpit door while the plane was taxiing, the affidavit says. "Upon arrival at the gate, the captain emerged from the flight deck, after which Vaquero approached the captain, screaming and threatening him until law enforcement boarded the plane and escorted Vaquero off the plane," the affidavit says. "While issuing these threats, Vaquero's face was approximately six inches from the captain's face." In videos obtained by law enforcement, Vauqero is also said to have threatened to break a flight attendant's jaw and used a racial slur. The charge of interfering with a flight crew carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. "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," said Vikas Khanna, the acting US attorney for New Jersey, in the press release. It is unclear which airline the incident occurred on. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Spirit operate daily flights between Miami and Newark. None of the three airlines immediately responded to requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
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
Airline passenger charged for allegedly threatening pilot, flight attendants: 'I will really break your jaw!'
A New Jersey airline passenger allegedly told a flight attendant "I will really break your f----- jaw n----!" before threatening a pilot "six inches from his face" after the plane he was traveling on landed in Newark, federal prosecutors say. Luis Vaquero, 27, of Passaic County is now facing a federal charge following the "harrowing flight" Sunday from Miami, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey. Federal prosecutors say the alleged passenger meltdown began shortly after takeoff when Vaquero started "threatening and harassing various passengers, including making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers. "Vaquero also threatened a flight crew member who declined to serve Vaquero alcohol after the beverage service window closed, telling her, "You better watch out, s--- is gonna happen to you," the attorney's office said. Flight Passenger 'Bullied' After Refusing To Swap With Seat Squatter, Triggers Reactions On Social Media "Upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, flight attendants alerted law enforcement. After hearing the announcement that the airplane was awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, Vaquero forced his way to the front of the plane and began banging on the flight deck door, demanding, "I need the pilot to come outside!" federal prosecutors said. Read On The Fox News App "When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, Vaquero yelled, 'I will really break your f----- jaw n----!' Vaquero also yelled, 'I wanna see that f----- captain! Come outside you b---- a-- n-----!' When the captain emerged, Vaquero continued to make threats to the captain while six inches from his face until law enforcement intervened," they added. Jet Owned By Motley Crue's Vince Neil Involved In Fatal Plane Crash At Scottsdale Airport In Arizona Vaquero was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. He made an initial court appearance Monday before being released. If convicted, Vaquero faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. "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 passengers," Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence 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," Reilly added. "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."Original article source: Airline passenger charged for allegedly threatening pilot, flight attendants: 'I will really break your jaw!'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with threatening flight crew, pilot
NEWARK, N.J. (WJW) – A New Jersey man is accused of threatening the flight crew in a recent incident. According to a press release, Luis Vaquero, 27, threatened flight attendants, crew members, banged on the cockpit door and threatened the captain before being escorted off the flight by law enforcement at Newark Liberty International Airport. West Park Elementary School in Ravenna to close permanently due to declining district enrollment He's charged in federal court with interference of flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. The incident allegedly happened on Feb. 9, shortly after take-off from a flight in Miami. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: 'Vaquero began threatening and harassing various passengers, including making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers,' the release reads. The complaint says Vaquero threatened a flight attendant who declined to serve him alcohol. 'Upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, flight attendants alerted law enforcement. After hearing the announcement that the airplane was awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, Vaquero forced his way to the front of the plane and began banging on the flight deck door.' The complaint says Vaquero threatened to break a flight attendant's jaw who attempted to intervene. 'When the captain emerged, Vaquero continued to make threats to the captain while six inches from his face' until law enforcement arrived, the complaint states. Jet owned by Mötley Crüe singer in fatal collision at Arizona airport '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 passengers,' said Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna. Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said. '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 … they will be brought to justice.' The charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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
