A Frontier flight had to make an emergency landing in South Florida on Sunday after a man attempted to break into the pilot’s cabin and assaulted an off-duty flight attendant on board, according to authorities.
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The man, Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, made his first appearance in Miami federal court on Tuesday. He is charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants and assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
The flight had taken off from San Juan and was on its way to Chicago Sunday night when Reyes began attempting to open the exit doors, according to a probable cause affidavit. Flight attendants stopped him and told him to take a seat. Instead, Reyes walked towards the door to the pilot’s cabin and “aggressively” shoved it with his shoulder while attempting to enter, according to the affidavit. He then went to the lavatory and attempted to urinate on the floor.
Flight attendants escorted Reyes back to his seat, at which point an off-duty Frontier flight attendant offered to sit in his row, according to the affidavit. When the off-duty attendant went to the restroom, another passenger told him that Reyes had been grabbing his bag. When the off-duty flight attendant reached over to grip the bag, Reyes grabbed his head and began choking him, the affidavit states. Several passengers tried to pull Reyes off of the off-duty flight attendant while using their call buttons to alert the on-duty flight attendants. Eventually, multiple flight attendants and passengers managed to restrain Reyes.
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Due to the altercation, the flight diverted to Miami International Airport. There, about 10:30 p.m., Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies arrested Reyes onboard the plane, according to the affidavit. FBI agents took over the investigation and tried to interview Reyes, but he invoked his Miranda rights to remain silent and have an attorney present.
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The flight continued to Chicago “a few hours later,” a spokesperson for Frontier said in a statement.
Reyes’ residence is listed as Pahokee, in Palm Beach County, on the arrest affidavit, but federal prosecutors said he is from Chicago.
Reyes is currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond. A pre-trial detention hearing is set for Friday.
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