An Illinois man is in federal custody after allegedly trying to force his way into the cockpit and open an emergency exit during a commercial flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Florida.
Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, of Chicago, made his first appearance in federal court following his arrest in Miami. According to federal court records, Reyes became highly disruptive while on a flight traveling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago. Flight attendants repeatedly ordered him to calm down and follow directions, but he refused to comply.
The situation escalated when Reyes allegedly rushed toward the front of the cabin, attempting to pull open both the flight deck door and one of the aircraft’s emergency exit doors while the plane was mid-flight. When another passenger tried to intervene, Reyes allegedly assaulted them.
A group of passengers and crew members eventually managed to physically restrain Reyes and hold him down until the pilots could safely divert the aircraft to Miami International Airport.
Reyes faces federal charges of interference with flight crew members and attendants, as well as assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. If he is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the crew interference charge and an additional year for the assault charge.
The arrest and charges were jointly announced by U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
The mid-air incident is currently being investigated by the FBI’s Miami Field Office, with local assistance from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Olinghouse is assigned to prosecute the case.
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