A New York man, James Tyqwon Ford, has pled guilty to interference with a flight crew after an incident on a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to New York. The incident occurred on May 13, 2023, when Ford became disruptive after consuming alcohol and making threats against the flight crew and passengers.
Court documents reveal that prior to the first beverage service, the flight crew detected alcohol odor and reminded passengers that personal alcohol consumption was prohibited. Despite this warning, Ford used profanity towards the crew and made lewd comments. A flight attendant informed him that such behavior was unacceptable and warned of police involvement upon landing. In response, Ford threatened physical violence against the attendant.
Passengers reported feeling unsafe due to Ford's behavior and claims of having a firearm aboard. An altercation ensued when his wife attempted to take away a bottle of Hennessy from him. Other passengers intervened to separate them.
Ford further threatened the crew by stating he had friends in New York who would follow them and "destroy them." His actions forced the plane to divert its course, landing in Richmond instead of New York. Upon landing, law enforcement officers removed Ford from the aircraft.
Scheduled for sentencing on April 2, 2025, Ford faces up to 20 years in prison. Sentences for federal crimes are often less than maximum penalties; a federal district court judge will determine his sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The announcement was made by Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Stanley M. Meador from the FBI’s Richmond Field Office after Judge Roderick C. Young accepted Ford's plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Jordan-Detamore is handling prosecution duties for this case.
Further details can be found on the websites of both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and PACER under Case No. 3:24-cr-142.