A man from Leominster, Massachusetts, Francisco Severo Torres, has pleaded guilty to charges related to an incident on a United Airlines flight. Torres attempted to open an emergency exit door and later tried to stab a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon during the flight from Los Angeles to Boston.
Torres, 34, admitted guilt to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris has set his sentencing for July 17, 2025. The charges stemmed from his arrest at Boston Logan International Airport in March 2023 and subsequent indictment by a federal grand jury in September 2023.
The events unfolded on March 5, 2023, when Torres was aboard the flight approximately 45 minutes before landing. The cockpit received an alarm indicating that a starboard side door between first class and coach had been tampered with. A flight attendant discovered that the door's locking handle was partially unlocked and the emergency slide arming lever disarmed. After securing the door, it was reported to the captain.
A fellow flight attendant observed Torres near the door and suspected tampering. When confronted about this, Torres questioned if there were cameras proving his actions. The captain was then informed of the potential threat posed by Torres.
Subsequently, Torres approached two standing flight attendants near the starboard side door while mouthing inaudible words. Passenger video captured him threatening violence against everyone on board and claiming he would take over the plane. He then attacked one of the attendants with a broken metal spoon but was subdued by passengers with help from the crew until being taken into custody upon landing in Boston.
Passengers reported that during pre-flight safety briefings, Torres asked another passenger about the location of door handles on safety cards and exhibited suspicious behavior by pacing in a galley before attacking.
The charge carries potential penalties including life imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000 as determined by federal guidelines.
This announcement came from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley along with officials from various law enforcement agencies involved in handling this case: Kimberly Milka (FBI), Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble (Massachusetts State Police), and Michael Cox (Boston Police). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum is prosecuting.