Francisco Severo Torres, 34, has pleaded guilty to a midair attack on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston, during which he attempted to force open the emergency exit and threatened fellow passengers. He lunged at a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon, striking her multiple times before being subdued by passengers. Torres faces life in prison at sentencing on July 17, after admitting to using a dangerous weapon against the crew mid-flight. His actions caused significant alarm and led to an emergency landing.
Francisco Severo Torres, 34, was tackled by fellow passengers when he freaked out on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston in March 2023.
Torres admitted to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon, the office of Massachusetts US Attorney Leah Foley announced on Tuesday.
Torres then lunged toward a flight attendant with a broken spoon while making a stabbing motion - hitting the victim three times around the neck, federal prosecutors said.
Torres told police he wanted to open the door to jump out of the plane - and said he knew many people would die if he did, according to charging documents.
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