Francisco Severo Torres, a 35-year-old man from Massachusetts, was sentenced on July 30, 2025, after spending 26 months in custody for attacking a flight attendant and trying to open an emergency exit door on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. He was released from prison and will now spend five years on supervised release, during which he cannot fly on commercial planes.
The incident happened on March 5, 2023, about 45 minutes before the plane landed in Boston. The flight crew noticed an alarm showing that a door on the right side of the plane had been tampered with. A flight attendant found the door’s locking handle partly moved and the emergency slide lever disarmed. Witnesses saw Torres near the door. When a crew member asked him about it, Torres responded by asking if there were cameras watching him. The crew quickly told the captain, who was advised to land as soon as possible.
Suddenly, Torres walked up to the flight attendants, shouted threats like “I’m taking over this plane” and “I’ll kill every man on this plane,” and stabbed a flight attendant in the neck three times with a broken metal spoon. Passengers and crew acted fast, tackling and restraining Torres until the plane landed safely. He was arrested immediately after landing.
Before the attack, Torres had asked another passenger about the location of the door handle on the safety card and was seen pacing in the galley. These actions raised concerns, but the attack still came as a shock to everyone on board.
In May 2025, Torres pleaded guilty to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon. A federal grand jury had indicted him in September 2023. As part of his supervised release, Torres is banned from flying on commercial aircraft for five years, and federal authorities will monitor him closely to make sure he follows all rules.
Incident occurred on United Airlines flight
Federal grand jury indicted Torres
Torres pleaded guilty
Torres sentenced
No new policy changes announced
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Department of Justice both released statements about the case, stressing how serious it is to interfere with flight crews. The flight crew and passengers were praised for their quick response, which likely prevented further harm.
This case has brought attention to the importance of crew training and passenger awareness during flights. While no new federal aviation security rules have been announced as a direct result, experts say the incident shows why constant vigilance is needed. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the sentence of time served plus supervised release reflects both the seriousness of the crime and the time Torres already spent in custody.
For travelers and airline staff, this case is a reminder of the need to report suspicious behavior and follow safety instructions. Anyone interested in official updates or more details about supervised release and federal charges can visit the U.S. Department of Justice website.
As of July 31, 2025, there have been no new policy changes, but the case continues to be discussed in airline security circles. The supervised release of Francisco Severo Torres and the ban on United Airlines flights serve as ongoing safeguards for public safety.
Learn Today
Supervised Release → A court-ordered period of monitoring after imprisonment to ensure compliance with specific restrictions.
Interference → Act of obstructing or disrupting the duties of flight crew members during flight operations.
Federal Grand Jury → A group tasked with determining whether sufficient evidence exists to indict a person in federal cases.
Emergency Exit Door → Special doors on aircraft for evacuation, equipped with locking handles and emergency slides.
United Airlines → A major U.S. airline operating domestic and international commercial flights.
This Article in a Nutshell
Francisco Severo Torres attacked a flight attendant with a spoon on a United Airlines flight in 2023. After 26 months in custody, he was sentenced to five years supervised release and banned from flying commercially, emphasizing airline safety and crew vigilance against threats onboard.
— By VisaVerge.com
