Categories: Massachusetts Breaking NewsMassachusetts CrimeMassachusetts News

Flight Attendant Assaulted Midair by Passenger

Passengers and flight attendants address a tense situation onboard a flight.

News Summary

Francisco Severo Torres, 34, pleaded guilty to assaulting flight attendants on United Airlines Flight 2609, using a broken spoon in a violent altercation. The incident raised serious safety concerns and highlighted issues around mental health in air travel. Torres now faces potential life imprisonment, a fine, and strict release conditions, including travel restrictions. Authorities emphasize the need for improved airline safety protocols in light of increasing in-flight violence and disruptions.

Boston, Massachusetts – Francisco Severo Torres, a 34-year-old resident of Leominster, pleaded guilty to assaulting a flight attendant onboard United Airlines Flight 2609. The assault involved a broken metal spoon and an attempt to open an emergency door during a flight from Los Angeles to Boston on March 5, 2023. Torres now faces significant legal repercussions, having pleaded guilty to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon. His actions occurred approximately 45 minutes before landing, triggering alarms that indicated tampering with the aircraft.

During the incident, flight attendants discovered that the locking handle of an emergency exit door had been moved to the disarmed position, raising immediate concerns about the safety of all passengers onboard. Witnesses reported that Torres displayed increasingly erratic behavior, including a midair rant where he claimed his father was Dracula and expressed a desire to be shot and reincarnated. The situation escalated when he allegedly punched a male flight attendant before attempting to stab another flight attendant in the neck with the broken spoon, making contact three times before other passengers intervened.

Despite the violent nature of the altercation, no injuries were reported. Authorities took Torres into custody upon landing at Boston Logan International Airport. In accordance with a plea agreement, Torres is expected to be released for time served, with conditions that include 60 months of supervised release and compliance with mental health treatment. Sentencing for Torres is scheduled for July 17, 2024, with potential penalties that could include life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and five years of supervised release.

Torres has a documented history of mental health issues and has spent time in mental health facilities. At one point, a judge determined that he was not competent to stand trial, referencing concerns about his mental state during a prior court appearance. As part of the terms for his release, he faces travel restrictions, which prevent him from leaving Massachusetts and prohibit air and train travel.

The alarming nature of Torres’ behavior during the flight included threats directed at fellow passengers, with claims that he would “kill every man on this plane” and assertions that he was “taking over” the aircraft. In the aftermath of the incident, United Airlines expressed its zero-tolerance policy for violence on flights and confirmed that Torres is banned from flying with the airline pending further investigation into the event.

Flight disruptions and incidents involving violence on airplanes have become increasingly concerning in recent years, prompting heightened security measures by airlines and regulatory bodies. Such incidents not only pose serious risks to flight crew and passengers but also can lead to strict legal consequences for those involved, as demonstrated by Torres’ case.

This situation has raised broader discussions concerning the mental health of individuals involved in similar incidents and the protocols airlines must have in place to handle volatile situations that may arise in-flight. While legal attributions vary, the implications of such behavior significantly impact the wider travel community, suggesting a need for ongoing review and improvements in airline passenger safety protocols.