Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Man pleads guilty to threatening flight attendant, trying to open plane door on Boston flight
Francisco Severo Torres, 34, was arrested and charged in March 2023.
A 34-year-old Leominster man pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that he attempted to stab a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon and open an emergency exit door on a flight to Boston in 2023.
Francisco Severo Torres pleaded guilty to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon, the office of United States Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley said in a statement.
Torres was a passenger aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston on March 5, 2023 when, authorities said, the incident occurred. About 45 minutes before landing, the flight crew was notified that a side door between the plane’s first class and coach sections was disarmed, with the locking handle moved about a quarter of the way toward the unlocked position. The emergency slide arming lever had also been moved to the “disarmed” position.
Advertisement:
A flight attendant secured the door and emergency slide and reported the incident to the captain and flight crew. A different flight attendant told colleagues he observed Torres near the door and said he believed he was responsible for tampering with it.
When confronted, Torres allegedly asked if there were cameras showing that he had tampered with the door. A flight attendant told the captain they believed Torres posed a threat and that the captain needed to land as soon as possible.
Shortly after, Torres allegedly got out of his seat and approached the side door, where two flight attendants were standing.
Advertisement:
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, video taken by passengers showed Torres yelling that he would “kill every man on this plane” and that he was “taking over this plane.”
He allegedly thrust a broken metal spoon toward one of the flight attendants, hitting them on the neck three times.
Torres was tackled to the ground and restrained; he was taken into custody when the plane arrived at Boston’s Logan Airport.
Passengers told investigators that during the flight attendants’ safety presentation, before takeoff, Torres asked another traveler where the door handle was located on the plane’s safety card, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Torres will return to court for sentencing on July 17, officials said. He is facing up to life in prison, up to five years supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com